JOHOR BARU: The government should review the Malaysian Remuneration System (SSM) as it has not been changed for 19 years, says the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs).

       Its president Datuk Adnan Mat said that the system was no longer relevant as the cost of living was not the same as when it was first implemented in 2002.

       "We believe that it is crucial for the government to review the current system in line with the government's goal of raising the average household income to RM10,000 per month by 2025 under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).

       "The cost of living has continued to escalate while the minimum wage for civil servants has not been changed to adapt to the current situation. We hope that the government will introduce a better system that is both comfortable and fair, "he said after the closing ceremony of the Johor Cuepacs seminar at Seri Malaysia Hotel here on Saturday (Nov 6).

       Adnan added that the government had introduced a replacement for SSM back in 2012 with the Public Service New Remuneration Scheme (SBPA), which was later scrapped as it did not meet Cuepacs' requirements.