Cuepacs still receives complaints of political interference post-GE14

The Congress of Unions of Employees in Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) is still receiving complaints from civil servants about interference in their duties, even a year after Pakatan Harapan had taken power.

“To this day, we are still receiving complaints about political appointees interfering in the duties of our civil servants,” Cuepacs president Azih Muda (above) told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

However, he added that he does not have the details when asked how many complaints have been received.

Nevertheless, Azih said he hopes the matter is not prolonged.

“In conjunction with Harapan’s first anniversary in power, Cuepacs hopes that those in political leadership positions don’t interfere in the duties of civil servants, don’t take over the duties of civil servants, and don’t derail their duties.

“This is because we are concerned that the government’s policy decisions would not be passed down the chain and would not be implemented."

If the problem persists, Azih said he hopes civil servants would not be faulted.

“The government makes the policy, but whatever the policy, it is the civil service that executes the policy. Namely, government employees.

“If this (interference) happens, then it would take longer for the new government to reach their goals, and we hope when that happens, don’t blame the civil servants,” he said.

Maintain policy on housing for civil servants

Meanwhile, on another matter, Azih urged the government to maintain the policy of building housing for civil servants to enable them to own a house.

He said about 70 percent of civil servants still can’t afford a house because the RM300,000 price for an affordable housing unit is still too high and unreasonable.

“The new National Affordable Housing Policy and National Housing Standard (CIS 26) means civil servants can’t compete with private sector workers in owning their dream homes.

“Cuepacs was not involved in discussions on this policy. So, we hope the government does not sideline any party including Cuepacs in affordable housing policies for civil servants, because buying a house is a one-off purchase,” he said.

Azih said Cuepacs will write to the Housing and Local Government Ministry to demand an explanation.

The CIS 26 was launched by minister Zuraida Kamaruddin on Saturday.

The new policy promotes the building of affordable housing for the B40 income earners, but there would no longer be any affordable housing built specifically for civil servants. - Mkini