2 theSun | FRIDAY NOVEMBER 28 2008

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Cuepacs accepts
govt decision
on PTK exam
KUANTAN: The Congress of Unio
Emp loye es in the Publ ic and
of
Services (Cuepacs) has accepted
government’s decision to cont
with the Competency Level Assessme
(PTK) examination for civil servants.
Cuepacs president Omar Osman
said yesterday Chief Secretary to
Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek
san had told the congress in a mee
ay that PTK wou ld stay
on Wednesd
the time being.
He said Cuepacs would neverthe
less still push for improvements
that the civil servants, especially thos
who had served the government
long time, get a fairer deal.
“So, we accept the government’s
view that PTK is the best assessm
method at present,” he told reporters
Last week, Omar was reported
have said that Cuepacs would laun
e road show next mon th to
nationwid
plain to civil servants the rationale behin
the plan to boycott the PTK examinatio
which is considered compulsory for
servants aiming for promotion.
He said yesterday Cuepacs had no
intention to stage a boycott.
“I hope the government employee
patie nt. Anyh ow, PTK
can be
compulsory which means those
are confident can take the examinati
and if they don’t, it would not affect
annual increment.” – Bernama
ns
Option to revert to pension scheme
by Maria J. Dass
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
off with the Anti-Corruption
Commissions Act,” he said.
face disciplinary action. They then
have to leave the race as the post
scheme to opt for the pension
scheme.
Civil
As for efforts to curb corruption no longer belongs to them.” Its secretary-general, Ahmad
the
PUTRAJAYA: Government in the police force, he said: “The He hoped investigations Shah Mohamad Zain, told
inue
servants who had opted for improved service scheme for senior by the disciplinary board can Bernama more than 45,000 civil
nt
the Employees Provident Fund police officers, lower ranking be completed before the party servants who were on the EPF
scheme now have the opportunity personnel and constables will come elections in March so that those scheme would benefit if they
to revert back to the pension into effect on Jan 1, 2009. “ who are involved in money chose to opt for the pension
the
scheme by Jan 31 for the change He said as officers and staff politics can leave the race. scheme. This category of workers
Has-
to take effect from Feb 1, Prime of other ranks of the Malaysian Asked if the involvement of had opted for the EPF at the last
ting
Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Maritime Enforcement Agency party members in money politics salary revision but found that it
for
Ahmad Badawi said yesterday. perform similar duties and will be referred to the Anti- was not beneficial for them in the
Abdullah, who announced functions as those in the marine Corruption Agency, he said: “If long run, he said.
-
this in his speech at the public and police force in terms of law there are elements of corruption, Ahmad Shah said Cuepacs, the
so
sector quality awards ceremony enforcement, the government then we will leave it to ACA.” umbrella union for civil servants,
e
at the Putrajaya International has agreed to give them a 20% This year’s winner for the was grateful to the government
for a
Convention Centre, said the increase in pay from Jan 1. public sector quality award was for accepting the congress’
government has also agreed to These decisions were made by UiTM, followed by the Employees proposal on the matter.
give out ex-gratia payment to the cabinet committee on staffing Provident Fund and the Subang
ent No figures were made available
parents of single government and salaries for civil servants at a Jaya Municipal Council. as to how much the government
.
servants who died while in service. recent meeting. Abdullah said the would have to fork out for this, but
to
This will take effect from Jan 1. Commenting on Putera Umno organisations which have shown
ch a financial analysts estimated the
He said in a bid to curb and Puteri Umno candidates now excellence in their service will sum to be around RM18 million to
ex-
corruption and fight crime, the under probe for money politics at act as benchmarks to the various RM20 million annually.
d
government will also improve the a press conference later, Abdullah government agencies and also to Ahmad Shah also said Cuepacs
n
service scheme of investigation said: “The disciplinary committee organisations in the private sector. was glad that ex-gratia payment
civil
officers, assistant investigation is conducting the necessary In an immediate reaction, would be made to parents of
officers and investigation assistants. investigations and if they are Cuepacs welcomed the move to unmarried civil servants who die
“Efforts towards this will kick found to be guilt, they will have to allow civil servants on the EPF while in service.
s
is not
who
on
their Royal immunity proposal should come
from Conference of Rulers: Nazri
by Giam Say Khoon Then probably we will look into far Tuanku Abdul Rahman) was (Malaysia) Bhd to honour his
newsdesk@thesundaily.com it.” found to have owed money in commitment over a 1999 busi-
Nazri was responding to a recent decision made by the ness deal.
KUALA LUMPUR: The govern- Negri Sembilan Regent Tunku panel of special judges. In a statement, DAP na-
ment will only consider the Naquiyuddin Tuanku Jaafar‘s “So he (Tunku Naquiyuddin) tional chairman Karpal Singh
Obama proposal to restore royal im- call on Wednesday for the gov- has an interest in this and it has said the Regent’s call does not
too busy munity if there is a recommen- ernment to restore the royal got nothing to do with the spirit have basis and ought not to be
to think dation from the Conference of immunity that had been “lost” of reason why the incident of entertained.
Rulers, de facto Law Minister for 15 years and return the 15 years ago happened. He said it is wrong to say that
about Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Aziz told monarchy’s independence so “I do not wish to comment after the last general election,
safety reporters yesterday. that it can play a more effective further but I am very sure this the constitutional structure of
pg 10 Nazri said since the Federal role as guardian of the Federal was raised because the Ruler the country has changed.
Constitution has to be amended Constitution. was ordered to pay back to a Karpal said the King still
to restore legal immunity for the Tunku Naquiyuddin had bank a sum of US$1 million. I largely acts on the advice of
Rulers, “it must be something lamented the amendments do not think it has anything to the Executive, and he could not
we have to discuss in cabinet to the Federal Constitution in do with (giving them) immunity see how after the amendments
but not necessarily tomorrow 1983 and 1993 which dealt to enable them to become the to the Constitution in 1993 that
(Friday) as it is not so urgent with royal assent to Bills in fountain of justice. I do not think allowed redress against the
and important for us”. Parliament in 1983 and the that I want to take seriously rulers, the rulers could not play
“Anyway, it must come from privilege of immunity in 1993. what he had said because to the same role as enshrined in
not just one Regent but it must Nazri said the matter was me it is a conflict of interest.” the constitution. “Calling for
come, for it to be taken seri- raised by the Regent because On Oct 15, the Special Court immunity only presupposes
ously, as a paper or a request the Yang di-Pertuan (the Ruler here ordered Tuanku Jaafar to eventuality of possible infringe-
from the Conference of Rulers. of Negri Sembilan Tuanku Jaa- pay Standard Chartered Bank ment of the law,” he said.

Yim ‘in denial MAS flights to Mumbai

mode’, says judge
» From Front Page
her and another charge of splashing hot water
on her. The charges are under Section 326 of the
Penal Code which carries a jail term of up to 20
years and a fine or whipping, upon conviction.
She was discharged and acquitted of a fourth
charge of causing grievous hurt to Nirmala by hit-
ting her with a stainless steel cup, which carries a
prison term of up to seven years and a fine.
The offences were committed in Yim’s con-
dominium between January and May 2004.
In mitigation, Jagjit said Yim was married with
four children, she was a first offender and the
victim had no permanent scars.
He said with respect to the court, Yim still
maintained her innocence although they bowed
to the judge’s ruling. He said Yim had spent two
months in remand, and applied to the court to
release her on good behaviour bond.
Deputy public prosecutor Raja Rozela Raja
Toran said Nirmala’s nightmarish experience will
haunt her all her life and that the court must
consider public interest. She said almost the
whole of Nirmala’s body were injured.
“It is unbelievable a woman would put hot
iron on another woman’s breast. The extent of
her injury reflects cruel and inhumane nature of
the accused,” she said.
Raja Rozela applied to the court to issue an
order for compensation.
During sentencing, Akhtar said he agreed to
an extent Yim is “not being remorseful”.
“You seem to be in a denial mode.”
operating on schedule
KUALA LUMPUR: Despite several bombing inci-
dents in Mumbai on Wednesday, Malaysia Airlines
flights from the KL International Airport to and
from the Indian city are operating on schedule.
“We are monitoring the situation in Mumbai, and
working with the relevant authorities to ensure
continued smooth flight operations,” said MAS
director of operations, Datuk Tajuden Abu Bakar
said. Customers can call MAS’s 24-hour toll-free
number 1300 88 3000 for updates.
Aidiladha falls on Dec 8
KUALA LUMPUR: Aidiladha for the whole of
Malaysia will be celebrated on Monday, Dec
8, the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal, Tan Sri Engku
Ibrahim Engku Ngah, announced last night.
“Following the order of the Seri Paduka Bag-
inda Yang di-Pertuan Agong, with the consent
of the Rulers, the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal
declares the first day of Zulhijjah, 1429 Hijrah
falls on Nov 29, 2008. “As such Aidiladha (10
Zulhijjah) for the whole of Malaysia has been
fixed for Monday, Dec 8,” said a statement
from the office of the Keeper of the Malaysian
Rulers’ Seal. – Bernama
Supplementary electoral roll
KUALA LUMPUR: The Election Commission (EC)
will gazette the 2008 third quarter supplementary
electoral roll today which contains 30,731 elec-
torates, of whom 24,531 are new voters while
the rest are existing ones who have applied for a
change of address. – Bernama