Civil servants have right to protest, too

Published: Wednesday May 7, 2014 MYT 12:00:00 AM 

Updated: Wednesday May 7, 2014 MYT 8:16:07 AM

AS a founder member in the formation of the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) and having held the post of secretary-general, I am shocked at the outburst of the Cuepacs president that the civil servants who took part in the anti-GST rally are traitors.

I wish to reiterate that as government servants we have to execute our duties and implement accepted policies of the Government to the best of our ability.

However, it does not preclude our inherent right to object or protest against any government policies we consider detrimental to our interest.

The GST will be detrimental to wage earners, particularly the middle and lower income groups, be it government servants or private sector employees.

This group is already suffering as a result of the rise in the cost of living.

The Government has raised the price of petrol and electricity tariff, which in turn has increased the cost of essential goods.

In fact, Cuepacs should have been in the forefront, together with other workers’ organisations, to protest against the GST.

To members of Cuepacs, my request is do your duties as an honest and responsible government servant.

Do not fear to stand up and fight when your livelihood is affected.

The Chief Secretary to the Government should focus on the millions of ringgit of taxpayers’ money being lost by negligent civil servants, as stated in the Auditor- General’s Report, rather than make idle threats to civil servants and suppress their legitimate right to protest against the GST.

Cuepacs members stand united and stand up for your legitimate right to express dissent.

ATL

Klang