Support for reward scheme

NST

By B. Suresh Ram

KUALA LUMPUR: Cuepacs has urged the government to implement as soon as possible the new reward scheme for civil servants that was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Its president, Omar Osman, said there should be a proper mechanism to implement the scheme.

"The way it will be implemented and the details involved are crucial for the betterment of the civil service," he told the New Straits Times yesterday.

Cuepacs, the umbrella body representing about 100 civil service unions nationwide, also wants the government to brief them on the scheme.

Najib on Monday had said a new reward scheme may be introduced to acknowledge outstanding performers in the civil service.

Among those who stand to be rewarded are those involved in revenue collection who had successfully met their targets, members of enforcement agencies with sound prosecution records and those who come up with innovative research and development ideas.

Omar said there were already agencies that were providing excellent service.

He cited the Immigration Department, which could now issue passports within two hours of application.

"The current reward system only benefits individual workers and not the overall agency or department."

The new scheme, if implemented, would help to curb corruption and encourage the more than 1.2 million public servants to excel in their jobs.

Cuepacs, he said, was grateful to Najib for the recognition accorded as the present reward system was ineffective and open to abuse.

"It is high time for it to be reviewed and replaced with a new one as stated by the prime minister."