KUALA LUMPUR – Ahead of a supposed strike by contract doctors tomorrow, the Health Ministry has issued a reminder for civil servants not to participate in any illegal gathering.
“Participation by civil servants in illegal gatherings is a violation of Rule 4(1) and 4(2),” it tweeted, citing the Peraturan Pegawai Awam (Kelakuan dan Tatatertib) 1993.
The ministry in a tweet said staff should refer to a June 30, 2011 circular by the Public Service director-general, which states that civil servants are prohibited from participating in any illegal gathering.
It also tweeted a poster defining participation in illegal gatherings as “active involvement outside during work hours” and “using work hours and leaving work to watch and join an assembly”.
It also said using workplace equipment such as printers, computers and photocopiers to produce and distribute material on any such gathering, would constitute a breach of civil service ethics and behaviour.
Warning of disciplinary action under existing rules, the ministry reminded that all civil servants are to be loyal to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the country and the government at all times.
“Civil servants must not conduct their work or behave in ways that will conflict with their duties and effectiveness as civil servants,” it said in the poster.
A strike by contract doctors is said to be taking place from tomorrow until April 5, organised by an anonymous group calling itself Mogok Doktor Malaysia, which has been using social media platforms to call for a strike by 8,000 contract doctors.
However, the group Hartal Kontrak Doktor, which has been formally representing contract doctors in talks with the government over their issues, has distanced itself from this strike and questioned the anonymity of Mogok Doktor Malaysia.
The government continues to promise resolution for contract doctor issues and has opened a number of permanent positions while working to resolve other matters. – The Vibes, April 2, 2023
