Malaysian Civil Servants in Business
It is a common knowledge that low-ranking staff of the public services of Malaysia have been engaged in small businesses of their own operating from their office desks. Their target customers are naturally their own colleagues at the office adopting the multi-level-marketing or direct-selling system. This has been going on knowingly by their own office peers who chose to keep both eyes closed on such illegal activities.
With the recent fuel price hike forced upon the people at large, the Government sees it fit to allow the government servants to set-up their own small business on a part-time basis in order to augment their income against the impact of the price hike of not only fuel but also their basic groceries for daily consumption. This is a part of the Government efforts to cushion the people against the spiralling prices of basic food items and all things in demand resulting the fuel price hike. It is not anticipated that the private sector will emulate this enigmatic step of the Government.The first thing that strikes my mind is the potential effects of such move on the productivity of public servants when they are allowed to do business albeit outside their working hours when we already know that some of them have been active in business for some time right under the nose of their bosses. What worries me is that their official duties at the office would become secondary to their business enterprise. Their office duties would have to come second when they are in business. If their office hours end at 4.45pm they would then have to scramble immediately to engage with their business. As all people in the business would testify, you will have to do some thinking and planning prior to meeting the people you want to see for your business; and that means all these thinking and planning processes shall have to be done during your office hours compromising the real work you need to accomplish as a public servant.
All these efforts in alleviating the economic hardship of the people would have been unnecessary had the Government not decided to increase the price of fuel which happens to be one of the highest hikes in the world, if not the highest.
posted by Nasariyev Usovich at
6/23/2008 09:34:00 AM
2 Comments:
Very impressive blog!!
While I agree with what you are saying, one can't help but look at the situation from both ends of the spectrum. While the employees do have a duty towards their employers, they also have one towards themselves and the families that they are responsible for. But there is a fine line however and I speak so of experience.
One can balance having your own business and do your job at the same time.
The increase of fuel prices have had a ripple effect throughout the world and through all economies. Hopefully with America standing on the threshold of change this will soon come to an end.
I would like to comment on what Shahieda said about "One can balance having your own business and do your job at the same time"
Yes, if you do it outside office hours and does not use any of the office facilities, by all mean, please do. But more often than not, SOME of these aspiring businessmen/women are using the phone and fax of where they are working to conduct their business, not to mention, time too.Some even have the chick to leave the office under the pretense of "official business" but in actual fact, conducting their side business.
Just my thoughts.
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