Kuala lumpur: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has expressed hope that the proposal to absorb contract staff of the Community Development Department (KEMAS) into permanent positions will be included in the 2026 Budget. Ahmad Zahid, who also serves as the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, stated that the plan is currently at the discussion stage and, if implemented, would not require the creation of new positions or any additional expenditure.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid mentioned that the initiative could set a benchmark for converting other contract positions into permanent posts without pension benefits. He urged for the process to be expedited and emphasized the potential benefits while avoiding any polemics. Ahmad Zahid suggested that it would be optimal to include the proposal in the 2026 Budget.

Earlier, Ahmad Zahid had officiated the Perak KEMAS Santunan Desa Programme with the Village Development and Security Committee (JPKK) and the KEMAS Community at Dewan Besar Bandar Baru Felcra Seberang Perak. The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang, Special Officer to the Perak Menteri Besar for the Kampung Gajah state constituency, Khairul Azwan Harun, who also serves as Chairman of the Pasir Salak Parliamentary KEMAS Community, and KEMAS Director-General Datuk Mohd Hanafiah Man.

On February 27, Mohd Hanafiah stated that the department was in the process of submitting the proposal to the Public Service Department (JPA) to convert approximately 15,600 contract staff nationwide into permanent positions.