Cuepacs hopes teachers won't be ordered as political tools

 

The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) has called on the government to provide clear guidelines after Putrajaya okayed teachers' involvement in active politics and expressed hope that the new policy won't be abused to order teachers for political purposes.

The new policy applies to teachers under the Education Ministry and also staff under the Community Development Department (Kemas).

"The government needs to quickly issue a clear circular or guideline to avoid misinterpretation among civil servants and the general public.

"This is to avoid violation of the law such as abuse of power and also to avoid baseless accusations against civil servants," said Cuepacs president Adnan Mat.

Adnan said in principle, the permission to get involved in politics was reasonable considering that even 18-year-olds will be allowed to vote soon, but hopes some concerns will be addressed.

"Cuepacs hopes that the permission to get involved in politics won't see teachers, Kemas staff or civil servants being ordered to do political work.

"Cuepacs is worried that if this permission is abused or misinterpreted, teachers could become political tools, face threats and the likes," he said.

Cuepacs president Adnan Mat

He said this issue had occurred in the past when Kemas staff were accused of aiding the government even though they had acted professionally and responsibly.

Furthermore, he said Kemas staff are hired on a contract basis and could be threatened or victimised if they refuse orders by certain quarters or if there is a transition of power.

He suggested that Kemas staff be given permanent placement in line with the permission to participate in active politics.

Adnan also reminded all civil servants that their core responsibilities remain with their job and they should be prudent in their involvement in active politics.

"The priority is delivering the best service to the people. Political parties are advised not to turn civil servants as tools of political interest as the civil service must function professionally despite different political ideologies," he said.

Meanwhile, DAP's Iskandar Puteri MP Lim Kit Siang criticised the decision to allow teachers to participate in active politics, which was announced by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, as an attempt to rally support amid a civil war within Umno between the "minister cluster" and "court cluster".

The "minister cluster" refers to Umno leaders with government positions while the "court cluster" refers to Umno leaders facing graft trials and are fighting not to be placed behind bars.

Ismail Sabri, who is the Umno vice-president, is seen to be leading the "minister cluster" while Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is seen to be heading the "court cluster".

"There are educational problems aplenty in Malaysia like the World Bank warning that the performance of Malaysian schoolchildren is lagging behind even those from a poorer country like Vietnam and the critical importance for Malaysia to start education reforms immediately, but Ismail Sabri is not worried about these problems but only how he could continue as prime minister as long as possible.

"The educational future of the young generation of Malaysia is being sacrificed on the altar of political interests of the two clusters in Umno fighting for ascendance," Lim said. - Mkini