English test for govt staff

PUTRAJAYA: Senior civil servants will soon be required to undergo a compulsory English test.
"This is to help them improve their proficiency of the language," Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today after the weekly Cabinet meeting.
He also announced the first Parliament session for the 2018-2023 term will take place for 20 days beginning July 16, adding that the government will repeal several Acts such as the Anti-Fake News Act 2018 and the Goods and Services Act 2015 during the session.
He said the remaining members of the Cabinet will be announced by the end of next week.
Mahathir also said government MPs will receive a one-off allowance of RM500,000 before Hari Raya while Opposition MPs will get RM100,000. Each parliamentary service centre will get RM200,000.
Bank Negara Malaysia governor Tan Sri Muhammad Ibrahim has submitted his resignation, he said. However, the government has yet to decide on his successor. Muhammad, the eighth governor, assumed office on May 1, 2016, succeeding Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz.
Mahathir also made several other announcements.
>> Cabinet discussed initiatives to reduce government expenditure with several bodies and agencies expected to be dissolved, mostly from the Health Ministry.
>> Team representing civil service will visit India to study innovative ideas by the Indian government to increase public service efficiency.
>> Cost of living allowance, that will replace Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M), will be disbursed in line with current qualifications for the time being. New qualifications to be determined for future disbursements.
>> Government will loosen criteria for housing loan applications by the younger generation.
>> Monopolies by the former government, such as the present monopoly on the rice industry by Bernas, will be reviewed, abolished or limited.
>> Former auditor-general Tan Sri Amrin Buang to head newly-formed governance inquiry committee, with Defence Ministry first to be investigated.
>> Training Institutes' functions will be reviewed by Economic Affairs Ministry and Human Resources Ministry to avoid wastage.
>> A special cabinet committee meeting for the Indian community will be held in the near future to address issues of the Indian community.
>> Minister in the Prime Minister's Department will take over the duties of the minister in charge of Islamic religious affairs, the study of Jakim's viability will continue.