SIBU – Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) secretary-general Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi today confirmed that he was indeed serious on his suggestion of recruiting more Dayak and Chinese in Sarawak’s civil service.
He said a more meaningful change and improvement in the current system for the recruitment of Sarawak civil service officers would improve the system to ensure fair opportunities to various ethnic groups.
“The easiest way is to be guided by a quota system at the crucial intake stage, and then a follow-through with continued fairness at all levels of promotion. Of course, promotions must also be based on a ‘merit’ system,” he said in a statement here, today.
Nanta said he was impressed and fully supportive of Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari’s recent announcement that he wanted to make Sarawak’s civil service top-notch.
He said the premier had declared that the state civil service was to hire the best and that they were to be duly rewarded with higher emoluments.
“This is indeed a very good move, but more than just that, the basic principles of ‘on merits’; productivity; ability to ‘hire and fire’; integrity and inclusivity, must also be an integral part of the scheme for revamping the state civil service,” stressed Nanta.
He said Abang Johari had already begun with the recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate – which is still not recognised by the federal government – so the next step would be to ensure fairness in opportunities to all.
“After all, much has been said about inclusivity, so let’s just do it fairly,” said Nanta, who stated his appreciation to all who expressed their support on the matter.
He pointed out that it was not his intention to seek personal glory or popularity in the issue but the widespread discontentment had always been simmering.
“But admittedly as I have pointed out, the situation has indeed changed for the better in recent years,” he said and thanked the mindset change and effort of the recent Sarawak government with some of its leaders, especially the premier, showing sincere interest and effort to achieve a more racially balanced Sarawak civil service.
“Good but not enough. Still, the revamping has got to be done for real and beginning from now. For anyone who believes in the need to express his or her opinion in support of this effort, let us all continue to appeal to the leaders of the state to make the necessary change and improvement in the system.
“Let’s make it real for all Sarawakians to feel contented, happy, and have a sense of belonging. All stakeholders are duty bound to ensure that Sarawak is indeed a happy place for all, not only for Sarawakians but also for visitors and friends,” he stated.
Nanta was reported to have called for the setting up of an ethnic-based quota for jobs in Sarawak’s civil service on February 10, as he welcomed a proposal by Abang Johari to attract more Chinese applicants by improving state civil service salaries. – Bernama, March 8, 2023
