Skim gaji ekspres pinggir guru lama

Utusan Online

BELUMPUN reda isu pelaksanaan sistem kenaikan gaji secara 'time base' kepada bukan siswazah yang menimbulkan rasa tidak puas hati kepada guru DGA29 ke DG41 kini timbul pula isu guru DG41 dan DG44 yang mengajar Tingkatan Enam diberi 'anugerah gaji ekspres' DG44 dan DG48 tanpa mengambil kira pengalaman mengajar Tingkatan Enam.

Inilah kecelaruan sistem penggajian yang melanda bidang pendidikan masa kini. Memang guru yang melahirkan rasa tidak puas hati akan dilabel sebagai golongan tidak bersyukur, tamak dan sebagainya namun jika diselidiki secara telus, tuntutan dan keluhan golongan guru ini memang ada benarnya.

Jika bidang kerja lain, faktor pengalaman amat diutamakan dalam menentukan jawatan atau kenaikan gaji, namun agak berlainan dalam bidang pendidikan.

Kenaikan gaji dalam bidang pendidikan nampaknya begitu 'mesra guru baru' tetapi tidak kepada guru berpengalaman.

Syarat kelayakan seseorang guru mendapat gaji DG32 'time base' yang mula dilaksanakan pada 2005 iaitu pengalaman mengajar lebih 10 tahun, lulus Pencapaian Tahap Kecekapan (PTK) dan sokongan guru besar, begitu menguntungkan golongan guru baru.

Syarat ini menyebabkan gaji guru yang baru mengajar 11 tahun menyamai gaji guru yang mengajar 18 tahun. Malah ada guru baru ini yang mendapat tunggakan gaji hingga belasan ribu ringgit, manakala guru yang mengajar lebih 18 tahun jika mendapat gaji 'time base' DG32, mereka hanya mendapat kelebihan satu kenaikan tangga gaji.

Kemudian timbul pula kerugian yang dialami guru yang melanjutkan pelajaran secara sepenuh masa atau pengajian jarak jauh (PJJ). Mereka menjadi mangsa apabila rakan DG29 diberi anugerah 'time base' DG32. Padahal jika mereka terus kekal di DG29, mereka juga akan menikmati gaji lebih baik.

Maka timbul perasaan 'menyesal tak sudah' kerana berkorban masa dan wang ringgit untuk melanjutkan pelajaran.

Kini isu terbaru yang menjadi sensasi di kalangan guru terutama guru siswazah ialah 'anugerah gaji ekspres' untuk guru yang mengajar Tingkatan Enam, iaitu kenaikan gaji dari DG41 kepada DG44 dan DG44 kepada DG48.

Isu ini jika benar sudah pasti ia akan kembali menjadi polimik di kalangan guru.

Skim gaji ini jika dilaksanakan sekali lagi akan 'menjadi duri dalam daging' di kalangan guru siswazah seperti yang berlaku kepada guru bukan siswazah.

Ia sekali lagi akan meninggalkan parut hitam kepada segelintir bekas guru Tingkatan Enam walaupun ia bagai bulan jatuh ke riba kepada guru yang baru mengajar Tingkatan Enam.

Tidak pernahkah kita fikirkan perasaan bekas guru Tingkatan Enam yang mungkin terpaksa meninggalkan Tingkatan Enam selepas lebih 10 tahun mengajar Tingkatan Enam kerana kenaikan pangkat atau simpati pengetua selepas terlalu lama mengajar kelas yang mencabar berkenaan.

Akibat perkara itu mereka ini menjadi mangsa keadaan dan kempunan yang tidak kesudahan.

Sekali lagi guru lama dan berpengalaman menjadi 'mangsa' dalam isu ini dan dibimbangi menyebabkan guru berpengalaman sama ada siswazah atau bukan siswazah berterusan 'makan hati'. Pasti timbul tanggapan di kalangan guru senior ini bahawa diri mereka 'ibarat habis madu sepah dibuang'.

Jadi tentu besar harapan guru senior siswazah dan bukan siswazah agar nasib mereka turut mendapat pembelaan.

Sebenarnya mereka ini adalah golongan modal insan yang amat penting dalam melakar kejayaan dan kecemerlangan sekolah. Mereka ini yang banyak menjawat jawatan penting sekolah.

Pihak Kementerian Pelajaran patut menjadikan isu kenaikan pangkat dan gaji guru sebagai satu agenda penting demi memartabat profesion perguruan dan agar profesion ini tidak diperkotak-katikkan kerana isu berkenaan. Biarlah semua guru menikmatinya dengan adil dan saksama.

Kajian terperinci perlu dilakukan sebelum sesuatu pelaksanaan kenaikan pangkat dan gaji dilakukan agar tidak timbul 'rumah siap pahat berbunyi'.

Adalah amat diyakini perkara ini akan dapat ditangani dengan bijaksana oleh pihak Kementerian Pelajaran demi kebaikan guru senior siswazah dan bukan siswazah.

IRMAZ DINI
Pendang, Kedah.

126 pegawai, anggota polis terlibat jenayah didakwa

Utusan Online

KUALA LUMPUR 19 Dis. – Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi berkata, seramai 126 pegawai kanan dan anggota Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) telah didakwa di mahkamah pada 2005 dan 2006 atas perbuatan jenayah.

Menurut Perdana Menteri, pada 2005, sebanyak 69 pegawai kanan dan anggota telah didakwa manakala tahun lalu mereka yang ditahan adalah seramai 57 orang.

Beliau yang juga Menteri Keselamatan Dalam Negeri berkata, jumlah pegawai kanan dan anggota polis yang dikenakan tindakan disiplin berikutan kecederaan tahanan dalam lokap bagi tempoh tahun yang sama pula adalah seramai 42 orang.

‘‘Bagi tahun 2005, jumlah mereka yang dikenakan tindakan disiplin atas kesalahan itu ialah 17 orang manakala 2006 pula melibatkan 25 orang,’’ katanya.

Perdana Menteri berkata demikian dalam jawapan bertulis kepada soalan Teresa Kok (DAP-Seputeh) kepada sidang Dewan Rakyat hari ini.

Teresa dalam soalannya meminta Perdana Menteri menyatakan bilangan pegawai polis dan anggota yang dikenakan tindakan disiplin dan didakwa di mahkamah pada tahun 2005 dan 2006.

Wakil rakyat pembangkang itu juga ingin tahu bilangan pegawai dan anggota polis yang dikenakan tindakan disiplin atas kecederaan tahanan dalam lokap.

Partnership for change

The Sun

"Terence betul ke KSN nak datang ke Klang?" asked the exasperated voice on the other end of the line?

"Betul, tapi bukan aje Kelang, semua PBT yang ada masaalah dia akan pergi," was my reply.

I was speaking to a Klang Municipal Council (MPK) officer who had called after reading Wednesday’s front page interview with the Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan.

The nation’s top civil servant had said that the days of those with vested interests lording over local authorities are over.

Mohd Sidek also said he will be following up on his visit to the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) with visits to MPK, the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and other problematic local authorities that have at one time or another made the front pages of this newspaper for the wrong reasons.

Another contact, a councillor from Petaling Jaya had this to say: "I respect Mohd Sidek, but I sincerely doubt he can effect change as the problems affecting local councils are too deep and political."

One cannot blame him for being skeptical but one must remember that Mohd Sidek has the full endorsement of the prime minister to clean up the civil service; and politicians and their cronies who oppose him should know that any resistance or challenge to Mohd Sidek is in direct defiance to Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi – their party leader.

True, Mohd Sidek has his work cut out. The issues affecting local government are deep-rooted and involve powerful personalities. One example is the now infamous Port Klang assemblyman, a prominent politician who to his credit has done much in his four terms for his constituents. From what I gather, he still commands the support of many voters.

His influence in MPK is so pervasive that even the council head cowers when he speaks, and many policies are pushed through.

But, as the PM says, the law is the law and no one is above it. Which was why after his wrongdoings came to light, Abdullah put aside party interests by advising the extremely popular assemblyman to step down as a councillor.

And we have been assured that this is how it will continue to work. Mohd Sidek has in no uncertain terms said that civil servants, who do not hold fast to their oath to serve, will be dealt with severely. Superscale officials have received warnings and demotions. MPAJ officials who used to thumb their noses at the media are now scurrying each time there is a press query following Mohd Sidek’s decision to "adopt" one of the country’s worst local authorities

A reader who had complained of a neighbour’s illegal extension blocking his view had been given the silent treatment by MPAJ since September. On Monday, the structure came down after the local authority finally issued the owner a notice to demolish the wall.

With other local councils expressing concern over Mohd Sidek’s turun ke padang, one is confident of the changes in MPAJ having a contagion effect.

As one reader asked: "So, how long will the good times last?"

My take is that with a boss that is committed to fulfilling his election promise of improving the public service, Mohd Sidek should not have any problems in getting on with his work. While he handles the officials who have been for too long acting as a pawn of these warlords, Abdullah will deal with the politicians.

It is not necessarily the easiest of tasks that these two men have undertaken, but it is a partnership of necessity if we are going to see any improvement in local governance that have been far too long hijacked by the powerful and influential.

All we can do as responsible taxpayers is to give them the support they need as they toddle the long and winding road to complete the task at hand. One way of doing so is by providing feedback via www.pemudah.gov.my. The other way is to be proactive and not take anymore nonsense.

As Mohd Sidek put it: "The public has a role to play too. If we do not take up this responsibility and acknowledge our role in society, then we must recognise our complicity and guilt in allowing for the deterioration of standards of accountability."

Updated: 05:44PM Fri, 14 Dec 2007

Pegawai kerajaan tak dibenar bercuti

Berita Harian

KOTA BHARU: Semua pegawai kanan jabatan dan agensi kerajaan di seluruh negara kini tidak dibenarkan bercuti memandangkan negara sedang berdepan pelbagai masalah khususnya banjir.

Arahan merujuk kepada Ketua Setiausaha, Ketua Jabatan dan Pegawai Kanan itu dikeluarkan Ketua Setiausaha Negara (KSN), Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan bagi memastikan jabatan dan agensi kerajaan masing-masing memainkan peranan pro-aktif dalam menangani masalah banjir.
Ketua Setiausaha Kementerian Keselamatan Dalam Negeri, Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof, berkata sebagai pegawai kanan kerajaan, tugas untuk negara adalah lebih penting yang perlu didahulukan berbanding bercuti.

"Sebelum KSN menunaikan haji di Makkah, beliau memberi ingatan kepada semua KSU, ketua jabatan dan pegawai kanan kerajaan bahawa jika berlaku banjir, demonstrasi jalanan serta masalah lain, mereka tidak dibenarkan bercuti.

"Tugas kita lebih utama dan kalau pergi ke mana-mana pun, kita mesti tinggalkan nombor telefon supaya mudah dihubungi. Kalau orang buat panggilan pada telefon bimbit, kena jawablah. Dalam keadaan sekarang, banyak perkara penting yang nak disampaikan," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita selepas mendengar taklimat banjir negeri Kelantan oleh Setiausaha Kerajaan negeri, Datuk Mohd Aiseri Alias di Bilik Gerakan Negeri, Kota Darulnaim, di sini, semalam. Hadir sama, Timbalan Ketua Polis Negara, Datuk Ismail Omar.

Abdul Aziz berkata, pihaknya mendapati ada pegawai kanan kerajaan ketika ini sedang bercuti panjang tetapi jumlah itu tidak ramai dan jika mereka bercuti tanpa alasan kukuh, nasihat akan diberikan.

"Hujung tahun memang ramai yang bercuti panjang, tetapi sekarang ini tak sesuai....sudahlah bercuti, tak dapat dihubungi pula. Tidak kira dari jabatan manapun, perlu maklum di mana kita berada.

"Di Kelantan, tak banyak masalah seperti itu, tetapi mungkin ada seorang dua yang kita boleh bagi nasihat," katanya.

Mengenai persiapan menghadapi gelombang kedua banjir yang diramalkan bermula Jumaat ini akibat fenomena air pasang, Abdul Aziz yang juga Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Keselamatan Negeri Kelantan, berkata semua persiapan sudah dilakukan jabatan dan agensi berkaitan.

"Di negeri terjejas teruk, kita akan hantar bantuan dan penambahan anggota keselamatan dari negeri lain yang tidak terbabit banjir. Misalnya, Kelantan kini dapat bantuan Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Kedah," katanya.

The civil service beckons

The Star

By JOSEPH LOH, RASHVINJEET S.BEDI and HARIATI AZIZAN

sunday@thestar.com.my

More school leavers, especially graduates, are applying for jobs in the civil service following the salary hike in July. But there are other reasons why a career in the civil service is now an attractive prospect.

BACK when Malaysia was a fledgling nation, it was the wish of most parents that their children found a job with the civil service. A job there meant a stable source of income, and job security was ensured – not to mention the many benefits civil servants were entitled to, which were unmatched by the private sector.

But as the nation began to grow and the economy boomed, there was a shift of preference to jobs in the private sector. In recent times, though, a career in the civil service has once again become an attractive prospect.

For example, a total of 153 job vacancies for graduates in the Health Ministry were advertised in the last few months, and about 40,796 applications were received. This did not include the growing number of applicants for non-graduate posts.

This paradigm shift has become notable after the civil service pay rise in July – which saw those working in the public sector bringing home an extra 7.5% to 35% in their wages – making salaries comparable to or better than those in the private sector.

The Public Services Commission, the body managing the appointment of personnel in public service, was not available for comment.

However, a check on the PSC website shows that this phenomenon was not particular to the health services sector. In fact, the upsurge in the number of applicants is apparent across the board, in all areas of the civil service (see chart).

Last year alone, the PSC received over 672,000 applications for various government positions.

But a top-tier administration officer, who declined to be named, opines that the rush for civil service jobs could be a reflection of the country’s development.

“More people have the opportunity to get an education so we have a higher number of school leavers and graduates entering the job market in the country. The number of people competing for jobs is simply higher, not just those competing for civil service jobs,” he says.

Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan concurs, saying there has been an increase in the number of younger applicants of late.

However, he says that the government is still studying the reasons why.

“It would be interesting to see what these applicants state as their reasons for wanting to join the civil service. I would hope that young people today recognise that by joining the public service, they are able to play a key role in developing the nation.”

Money matters

The increased interest in public service can largely be attributed to a matter of Ringgit and sen.

“Frankly, more graduates seem to be choosing the civil service nowadays because of the attractive pay packages,” says Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) chairman Shamsuddin Bardan.

A look at the country's civil service remuneration system (Sistem Saraan Malaysia, SSM) is revealing.

According to the Public Service Department's (PSD) salary and allowance division director Yap Kin Sian, “People have the notion that a government job does not pay well and is not attractive. That is not true.”

He explains that all fresh graduates under the SSM start at Grade 41 (except for lecturers at grade 45). He gives the example of those in the management group, where the basic salary is RM1,993.

“Then we have the many allowances, from the fixed civil service allowance of RM300, housing allowance of RM210 and the cost of living allowance of RM300 (depending on area, which varies from RM100 to RM300), so they will be drawing about RM2,800.”

Additionally, states Yap, there are many other allowances that are sector-specific (see table on Page 29 for examples).

Critical service workers such as doctors, nurses, architects and lawyers, for example, are entitled to an additional critical services allowance. Teachers of languages and mathematics get an additional five per cent of their basic salaries.

He continues, “If someone is posted from the peninsula to East Malaysia, he is given a regional allowance; or if posted to the interior, a hardship allowance.”

Besides allowances, there are the other perks that come with a job in the civil service, and at the top of the list are medical benefits.

“Not only does it extend to the spouse and children, but even to the parents. There is no civil service in the world that provides it to parents, and the Government is very generous in that regard,” Yap says.

Then there is the added benefit of house and car loans at a four per cent interest rate, he adds.

With the promise of pensions taken into account, the perception that the civil service does not pay as well as the private sector simply does not hold any water anymore.

Says Yap, “There is a gratuity payment made on top of the pensions. With this taken into account, civil servants are very well taken care of.”

Civil career

Mohd Sidek believes that in order for Malaysia to maintain its competitive position and improve upon its global standing, the skill set of public servants will need to match those in the private sector, and with their regional counterparts.

This in turn has broadened the roles and functions of Malaysia’s public service.

He elaborates, “Our recruitment policies and needs thus reflect these changes and demands.

“Perhaps it is this that has influenced the perception towards public service.”

Mohd Sidek opines that the public service strives for excellence, just as any other organisation would. “We want to hire the best people and provide them the best training and exposure possible.”

The result of this is that civil servants have a better chance than those in the private sector for individual betterment.

Yap describes how a person can join the civil service with a basic degree and obtain their Master’s degree or PhD qualification – all at the expense of the government. This is besides the numerous short courses that are afforded locally or even abroad.

“The opportunities for education that the civil service offers are unmatched. The private sector simply does not allocate as much money for training,” says Yap.

For added value, further qualification would result in increased remuneration. For example, he says, “Doctors who take a specialist course at the expense of the government will get an additional specialist allowance upon completion.”

Highlighting another point, Navaratnam says there is a sense of security in the civil service because an employee cannot be sacked easily. However, it has been highlighted that the civil service still has a problem in attracting the cream of the crop.

In August, Mohd Sidek revealed that only 5% of the newly elected diplomatic and administration officers obtained first class honours qualifications or degrees from top local and global universities.

A mid-range civil servant who wants to be known only as Lim believes this is a result of the slow hiring process.

“You have to wait at least six months after the test and interview stages to know if you have made it. By then, the top candidates, even those who are really interested to join the public sector, would have been grabbed by the corporate sector,” he explains.

Service above self

In June, Public Service Department (PSD) director-general Tan Sri Ismail Adam revealed there were about 100,000 job vacancies in the civil service, with the health and education sectors offering the most openings.

A problem, he said, was finding suitable candidates – despite the increase in the number of applications – due to their mismatched qualifications.

Last year, graduate unemployment was recorded at 60,000 due to this problem.

Ultimately, those who want to join the civil service should have one priority on their minds – and that is to serve the nation.

Mohd Sidek puts it simply, “Financial success is not the primary motivator to joining the service. The public service needs people with a real drive to serve the nation and the public.”

For those interested, he reminds, “A career in the public service is to serve with integrity – that is the underlying career motivator.”