Cuepacs urges PN to fulfil promises of previous govt
KUCHING: The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) has urged the Perikatan Nasional (PN) federal government to expedite the implementation of planned benefits for civil servants as announced by the previous government.
“Cuepacs has listened to the feedback and complaints from civil servants, who are disappointed that many of the benefits announced for them were not able to be fulfilled due to the change of federal government,” said the congress president Adnan Mat at Cuepacs Sarawak office at Jalan Bampfylde here yesterday.
Adnan listed the announcements that had yet to be realised as annual salary increment for civil servants effective July 2018, the awarding of cash in lieu of leave for 75 days as promised in Budget 2020, shortening the second time-based promotion period from 13 years to 10 years effective Jan 1 2018 and extending the cost of living allowance (Cola) increment of RM50 to civil servants in East Malaysia.
“As of today, Cuepacs has not received any concrete and satisfactory answers on the yet-tobe-implemented announcements,” said Adnan during a press conference after awarding certificates to heads of agencies and organisations for contributing towards overcoming Covid-19.
Adnan said the congress opined all the announced benefits for civil servants would not involve huge financial commitment from the federal government, especially when the federal government acknowledged the country was in strong financial position despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The congress does not want all the unfulfilled benefits to be announced again or ‘recycled’ every year. All the plans and proposals announced made by the previous federal governments should be honoured if they bring benefits to the civil servant community.”
He pointed out that it was unfair for certain parties to criticise civil servants for receiving full salary while working from home to keep the country’s administration running during the period of Movement Control Order.
Adnan remarked that civil servants continue to be committed and steadfast in carrying out their duties for the people, despite the changing of federal government.
Moreover, he also urged the federal government to extend the electricity assistance under the ‘Prihatin Economic Stimulus Package’ to the people in Sabah and Sarawak.
“We hope the federal government would work together with the Sabah and Sarawak state governments to introduce an electricity package that is more comprehensive and beneficial to the people in East Malaysia.”
Adnan added the congress hoped Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd and Sarawak Energy Berhad would offer more incentives to assist the people during these difficult times.
Among those in attendance during the ceremony were Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Aidi Ismail, Malaysian Armed Forces Eastern Field acting commander Brigadier General Datuk Kamarol Fauzi Mohd Said and Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) director Khairuddin Drahman @ Hussaini.