Government not obliged to absorb contract civil servants, says Shahidan

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim says employees must apply for posts based on their qualifications. – Reuters pic, June 9, 2015

The government is considering the recommendations made on the status of 43,861 contract employees before making a decision.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said several recommendations had been submitted to the government but any decision would be based on the government's situation from time to time.

"Several recommendations were submitted and of course the government will consider them.

"The PM (prime minister) will announce if there is a decision," he said in reply to a question from Datuk Wee Jeck Seng (BN–Tanjung Piai) at the Dewan Rakyat sitting today.

Wee asked what the government plans were on the status of contract civil servants in each ministry.

Replying to a supplementary question from Wee on whether the government would speed up the absorption of contract officers, Shahidan said the government was not obliged to absorb every contract civil servant into a permanent post.

Instead, the employees had to apply for the posts based on their qualifications and experience.

"However, their experience could be an advantage and the government will always help contract officers who would be going for the interviews," he said.

He added that contract officers would also be given training to improve their competency in their work areas and to prepare for job interviews for permanent posts. – Bernama