The Public Service Department (PSD), through a service circular, stated that the RM500 payment would be made to officers below Grade 54 who were still in service as of Dec 18 and had served for at least 30 days.

According to the circular posted on the PSD website, those entitled to the special payments are permanent, temporary and contract staff, officers on half-pay or no-pay leave, but not those who have been on leave from Jan 1 to Dec 18, 2018, and officers seconded to agencies with separate remuneration schemes, international bodies or private companies.

The special payment will also be extended to interim teachers and drivers of high ranking government officials and judges.

Government pensioners who are receiving or will begin receiving their pensions on or before Dec 18 will receive RM250 from the PSD.

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng had made the announcement on the special payment when tabling Budget 2019, on Nov 2.