131,813 Mindef staff to get pay rise in July

A total 131,813 staff of the Ministry of Defence including the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) will enjoy a one-rung pay rise from July 1.

Its Minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the raise was implemented following the Federal Public Service Scheme under the Malaysia Renumeration System.

"This improvement agenda also involved the aspect of the welfare of the personnel's children via the provision of school bus service including comfortable housings," he told reporters after visiting the Desa Tun Hussein Onn Armed Forces Family Houses (RKAT), here, Sunday.

Commenting further, Hishammuddin said for ATM personnel of other ranks, a private who had completed basic training would enjoy a starting pay of RM1,564 compared to RM1,137 previously.

He said a Cadet Officer with Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia or Sijil Vokasional Malaysia would get RM1,500 compared to RM1,104.

"An officer with the rank of Second Lieutenant with a Bachelor's degree in a field of study or a Bachelor in Law receives a salary of RM2,583 and RM2,703.61 compared to RM2,411.85.

"A holder of a Bachelor in Engineering will receive a salary of RM2,876.67 compared to RM2,703.37 while a holder of a Bachelor in Veterinary Medicine will receive RM3,022.13 compared to RM2,593.94," he said.

Earlier, he handed over Desa Tun Hussein Onn RKAT keys to 160 ATM personnel with families from the rank of Corporal and below.

The RKAT project, worth RM11.2 million and involving two blocks of accommodation units, was completed on March 28.