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KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 26 — The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) agrees with the proposal by the Anti-Corruption Advisory Board (ACAB) to draft legislature to govern misconduct by civil servants.
Its president, Azih Muda, said the proposal would be practical if the civil servants were involved in the drafting process.
“We must think positively about the proposal, but whatever the end product may be, there needs to be an understanding between the two parties,” he said.
Azih was commenting on a report in which the board had recommended a special legislation to deal with government officials who flaunt regulations and act against the interest of the public.
The recommendation for the legislation was brought up because the board had noted refusals, delays and reluctance in taking disciplinary action, as well as disproportionate sentences imposed on officers involved in graft by the disciplinary boards of certain ministries or government departments.
The board also stressed that public servants found guilty of any disciplinary charges receive a punishment that is commensurate with the offence to deter further misconduct.
ACAB made the recommendation in their 2013 Reviews Report submitted to the Special Committee of Corruption (SCC) on August 12.
Malaysian Trade Unions Congress (MTUC) president Mohd Khalid Atan, who echoed the same sentiments, said the legislature would improve the credibility and discipline of civil servants.
“I will be supportive of the proposed legislation if the contents specify a grievances procedure so if civil servants come under allegations of misconduct, they are able to defend themselves,” he said.
As it stands, the code of conduct for federal civil servants is outlined in the Rules for Public Workers (conduct and discipline) (1993).
Source: The Malay Mail Online
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