![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/jpa_biw_graphic.jpg\")
Graphic by JPA posted on its Facebook page on November 14, 2024.<\/p>\nKUALA LUMPUR, Dec 19 \u2014 The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has estimated that reinstating the progressive Regional Incentive Payment (BIW) allowance structure for doctors costs around RM4.2 million a year.<\/p>\n
The doctors\u2019 group\u2019s estimate was based on an assumption of approximately 700 new medical officers posted to Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan each year, with a monthly shortfall of RM500 per officer under the revised structure.<\/p>\n
Under the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA), the BIW allowance for transfers to Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan was changed to a fixed RM360 monthly rate for officers appointed from December 1, 2024, compared to the old framework of a percentage of basic salary.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The BIW allowance for existing permanent officers appointed before that date was frozen at the last-drawn amount before SSPA implementation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reality is that these states face consistent structural challenges: higher cost of living, logistical limitations, stretched manpower, and fewer training or advancement opportunities. These are challenges not limited to remote areas \u2014 they are embedded in the broader ecosystem of care across Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan,\u201d said MMA president Dr R. Arasu in a statement today.<\/p>\n
\u201cBIW was never meant as a bonus. It has always been a form of acknowledgement, a modest support recognising the unique challenges in these territories. Cutting it sends a disheartening message to young doctors: that their commitment and sacrifices are less valued depending on when they were appointed.<\/p>\n
\u201cDoctors serving in these states make difficult sacrifices \u2014 leaving behind family support systems, enduring long hours, and working in settings where the demand often outweighs the resources. Their service is vital to Malaysia\u2019s health care equity, and it deserves to be acknowledged fairly.\u201d<\/p>\n
Public Service DG: BIW Allowance Not A \u2018Right\u2019<\/p>\n
Graphic by JPA posted on its Facebook page on November 14, 2024.<\/p>\n
In November 2024, Public Service director-general (KPPA) Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz said the BIW allowance was \u201cspecial\u201d because, as a percentage of basic salary, it rose in line with salary increments.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn our study, when the government agreed to revise salaries, we saw that we couldn\u2019t continue with the progressive nature of BIW. So we froze it,\u201d Wan Ahmad Dahlan told a forum<\/a>, without mentioning the RM360 fixed monthly rate for newly appointed management and professional (P&P) officers posted to Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan.<\/p>\n \u201cSalary revision imposed a huge financial burden on the government. The prime minister said the financial burden exceeded RM10 billion, but the real figure is bigger, which must be borne by the government, where the Ministry of Finance must multiply efforts to generate revenue to ensure that emoluments and allowances can be paid to civil servants every month,\u201d said the head of the Public Service Department (JPA).\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIf we claim everything, I\u2019m afraid that one day, civil servants might not be paid their salaries \u2013 this would be an historic first in our country.\u201d<\/p>\n Under the SSPA, which came into effect in December 2024, all civil servants received salary increments, with 15 per cent raises for the P&P group.<\/p>\n Wan Ahmad Dahlan added that the government can review the BIW allowance \u201cwhen our finances are better\u201d and that \u201cthis isn\u2019t the end\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cWe must remember that the BIW allowance isn\u2019t our right, but a facility offered by the government as appreciation for the contributions of civil servants,\u201d said the KPPA.<\/a><\/p>\n