KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 27 — Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has agreed to delay the allowance cut for civil servants in critical service pending a decision from the next Cabinet meeting, according to Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman.

The youth and sports minister tweeted the decision this afternoon, made after the two talked about the matter.

"I just spoke to YAB @chedetofficial regarding "critical allowance”,” he said.

"Alhamdulillah YAB PM has agreed to delay the circular about the critical allowance to first discuss it at the upcoming Cabinet meeting.”

The Pakatan Harapan administration came under heavy criticism over the Public Service Department’s (JPA) move to cut critical service allowance, including from Cabinet ministers.

Syed Saddiq was among the first to question the move.

Critics say cutting the incentive would drive talents away from sectors crucial to the public, like healthcare and education.