There are 85,498 civil service staff from Peninsular Malaysia who are attached to government agencies in Sabah.
Queville To, FMT
KOTA KINABALU: The federal government must review the practice of sending Peninsular Malaysians to assume posts in the civil services in Sabah.
Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) vice president Japiril Suhaimin said the government is currently wasting millions of ringgit every year to send West Malaysians to work in the state when there are capable local officers who can do the job just as well.
“The government could save a huge amount of money if the practice is changed by hiring Sabahans to fill up those jobs because our people are very much qualified. And, it would be a win-win for the government and our people,” he said.
He said the government is not required to pay transfer allowance and monthly housing allowance, as well as other allowances, once the staff are Sabahans.
He added that such allowances are enormous based on the number of West Malaysians currently working here, and the number of them arriving every year.
Japiril was especially referring to the recent revelation by Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department, Radin Malleh that between 7,500 to 8,500 civil servants from the peninsula were sent to Sabah each year for the last five years.
Radin also revealed that as many as 15,390 public service officers and staff from Peninsular Malaysia are currently working in 94 federal departments and 42 statutory bodies in the state.
The total number of staff of the federal civil services in Sabah is 85,498, according to official figures and the department and the Sabah Education Department has the highest number with 8,152 in 2011.
Income disparity
Japiril also highlighted the huge income disparity between local teachers and those sent over from the peninsula.
Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Ronald Kiandee revealed recently that Sabah teachers are given allowances of up to RM350 while West Malaysian teachers received RM830 because they were not from the state.
