Cuepacs complains given cold shoulder by Penang

June 22, 2012

Osman said the lack of dealings with the Penang administration was unique. — File picGEORGE TOWN, June 22 — The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Service (Cuepacs) regrets the Penang government’s reluctance to discuss problems faced by civil servants in the state.

Its president, Datuk Omar Osman, said the state government did not have direct contact with the congress since taking over the state, thus making it difficult for Cuepacs to take care of the welfare of about 80,000 civil servants.

“All other state governments have good contacts with their state-branch Cuepacs, including Selangor, Kelantan and Kedah. They were also among the states which contributed to their state-branch Cuepacs.

“Regardless which party governs the state, we respect them all... as the civil servants are the ones who carry out all the state and federal government’s policies,” he said.

Omar was speaking to reporters after officiating the Penang Police Administrative and Civilian Staff General Meeting here today.

Earlier, he said the state branch Cuepacs had contacted Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s assistant to convene a meeting.

However, it did not materialise as there was no follow-up action undertaken by the state government.

Thus, he said, Cuepacs would once again send a letter to Lim next week to request for a courtesy call involving representatives from the national and state-level congress members.

Meanwhile, Omar has requested the Angkatan Koperasi Kebangsaan Malaysia Bhd (Angkasa) to contribute to Cuepacs to enable welfare aid to be channelled to Angkasa members.

Describing the contribution as Angkasa’s social responsibility, he said it was reasonable action to be taken by them, as more than 85 per cent of civil servants made their pay cut through the agency. — Bernama