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KUALA LUMPUR – Mohd Fadli Salleh, the teacher who faces dismissal for speaking out against alleged weaknesses in the education system, is entitled to representation to defend himself from losing his job, said the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public Service (Cuepacs).
Cuepacs president Datuk Adnan Mat said all levels of disciplinary action against civil officials were fair as it covers the allegations, defence, and appeals.
According to The Vibes Bahasa Malaysia sister publication Getaran, Adnan said legal action can be taken if any party was not satisfied with the process in the civil service.
“Cuepacs views all civil officials as being exposed (to action) if they engaged in misconduct while performing their duties. We found that all processes will be undertaken by the appropriate parties.
“For us, it’s a routine procedure, and the teacher still has the opportunity to be represented and to defend himself,” he said, as quoted by Getaran.
“If grievances (within departments) are aired on Facebook, it will not solve any problem but create sentiments between outsiders and insiders, which means that my reading of the situation would not be the same as others.”
Fadli earlier took to Facebook to criticise the school syllabus as being unsuitable for age levels, apart from a syllabus that required the children to carry heavy backpacks.
On October 15, Fadli who is a teacher from a school in Gonbak, uploaded a show cause letter he received from the Education Ministry dated September 22 threatening him with either dismissal or a demotion.
The ministry had accused Fadli of breaching Section 19(1)(c) of the Public Officers Regulations (Conduct and Discipline) 1993, which bars civil servants from making any comments pertaining to weaknesses in the government’s policies, plans, or decisions.
Meanwhile, Adnan said civil servants who find themselves in similar situations can file a complaint with Cuepacs while taking their own legal action.
He explained that civil servants would usually not encounter any problems obtaining defence assistance.
“I agree that this justice will not be obtained through Facebook or social media, but justice may be achieved at the negotiating table.”
“The Education Ministry and the complainant both have space to carry out the negotiating process.”
Meanwhile, the National Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) president, Datuk Mohamad Ali Hasan said it was not wrong for teachers to be honest in voicing out problems faced by students.
Ali said aside from social media, teachers can also voice out their concerns to their respective PTAs, school alumni, teachers’ unions, district education offices, and state education offices.
He also said teachers who had the courage to voice out on problems faced by students should be applauded.
He explained that students may be unable to express their problems and that was why teachers can assist them.
“The teacher who claims to be facing dismissal or demotion must not be fearful as assisting students with their challenges must be given appropriate attention,” Ali said.
“They must be courageous for the truth’s sake to best assist those in need. Congratulations and well done on the teacher’s clever actions.” – The Vibes, October 17, 2022
