KUCHING: The government is looking into ways to attract more Chinese to join the Sarawak Civil Service (SCS).
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said it was quite difficult to encourage the Chinese to become civil servants.
“Even though we (Sarawak government) have recognised Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), you ask Dr Sim (Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian), it is hard to promote and ask them (Chinese youth) to join because the pay is low.
“This is one of the problems we are facing but we have to find a solution to that.
“That is why I am now carrying out a research on how to upgrade the SCS and perhaps, if it (SCS) is good, then the Chinese willbe interested because they always look for greener pastures,” he said.
He was speaking at the Sarawak Federation of Chinese Associations (SFCA) of Kuching, Samarahan, and Serian Divisions’ Chinese New Year Dinner 2023 at Imperial Hotel here on Monday (Feb 6).
Abang Johari, who is also the Finance and New Economy Minister, said the state will always look for solutions to solve the problem facing Sarawak for as long as the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government is around.
“I have also shared with the civil servants where we can explore and find new approaches in terms of managing our state, and they are responsive.
“I have shared with them that we are trying our best to have our own remuneration scheme so salaries will be higher,” he said.
He then said there are 10 countries (Denmark, Finland, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Netherlands, Germany, Ireland and Luxembourg) that are perceived as less corrupt according to the Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index 2022.
“You know why? Because they offer good salaries. And their pension fund is guaranteed for the future.
“But if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys. If you pay high, you get quality experts.
“And, there must be a ‘hire and fire’ policy. However, under the pension (scheme), you cannot fire people and then you will get deadwood. Once you have deadwood, you will be unable to move forward,” said Abang Johari.
Later, Abang Johari presented a cheque amounting to RM200,000 to Wee for SFCA Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions’ Women and Youth Section to carry out its activities.
The event also saw the presentation of the Datuk Amar Wee Hood Teck Outstanding Leadership Award to Lim Ah Ted and the Tan Sri Datuk Amar Wee Boon Ping Chinese Community Service Award to Ko Wai Neng.
The two recipients were given the award for their significant contributions to the Chinese community, especially in the field of education.
