KUCHING: The Sarawak government’s move to upgrade civil servants’ salaries will attract encourage more people to join government service.
Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) secretary-general Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the move will not only attract more Chinese, but also other races to join the civil service.
“I welcome the suggestion by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg who proposed to improve the salary scheme.
“This initiative also needs to be supported by the implementation of a fairer and more equitable recruitment system to ensure that various ethnic groups in Sarawak get equal opportunities to participate in the state’s public service,” he said in a Facebook post today (Feb 10).
For instance, he said, the Dayak and Chinese ethnic groups often feel marginalised and do not get a fair chance in getting employment opportunities in the public service.
“In relation to this, I recommend that the Sarawak government establish a quota system for recruitment.
“It often happens that only a few candidates from other ethnicities and non-Malays are given the opportunity to pass the interview and subsequently succeed in being recruited.
“This situation further gives a domino effect which can be seen in the low percentage of involvement among other ethnic groups and non-Malays who hold high positions in the administration of the central and state governments,” he said.
However, he was grateful to the Premier for the initiatives since he took over the state administration.
“The result can be seen with the increase in the number of involvement of other ethnic groups in the public service.
“In addition, we can also see appointments from ethnic groups and non-Malays who are beginning to be trusted to hold top positions, both in the public administration of the state as well as government linked companies (GLCs),” he said.
Nanta, who is also the Works Minister, said Abang Johari’s direction in the recruitment system by holding the philosophy that those who have merit will be given opportunities, should be used as a guide to ensure fair opportunities for all.
