PUTRAJAYA: The government paid RM23 million in compensation to all 961 former employees of the Land Public Transport Commission (Spad) last Dec 31, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
He said the compensation was part of the government’s assistance given to the Spad employees affected by the scrapping of the commission and its functions taken over by the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) effective Jan 1, 2019.
Loke said the rate of compensation was based on one month’s salary and according to years of service, with the minimum compensation paid at three months’ salary even if the staff had served a shorter period.
” Someone received the highest compensation of RM268,000 without income tax deduction. “
“Someone received the highest compensation of RM268,000 without income tax deduction,” he said after witnessing the signing of an agreement between the Malaysian government and MASwings Sdn Bhd (MASwings) here yesterday.
Loke said besides paying compensation, his ministry also sought the cooperation of the Public Service Commission and Public Service Department to place former Spad officers in other posts in the government sector.
The ministry, he added, was also working with government-owned companies such as Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd and Malaysia Airlines, as well as low-cost carrier AirAsia in giving job opportunities to those affected.
“Out of the 961 former Spad employees, more than 600 were absorbed into the enforcement division of the Road Transport Department and Apad.
“Meanwhile, 80 percent of the over 300 others were offered jobs on Jan 2 and the rest will get offers by the end of this month, the latest,” he noted.
Loke, however, said he was disappointed with claims of them not getting a job that some were willing to carry protest placards to the Spad office.
“I appeal to them to be patient as the government is trying its best to solve the problem. Where in the history of the previous government that workers of a disbanded agency were given jobs and compensation?” he said. – Bernama
