Malaysia Meets Problems

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31440, 5 August 1967, Page 23

Malaysia Meets Problems

The people of Malaysia had overcome great difficulties a_id were continuing to progress and maintain stability, said Mr D. C. Duff, who has returned to . Christchurch after working in Kuala Lumpur for two years.

Much of the salary structure was based on the old colonial system, which had a

“Malaya passed through a long period of colonisation, occupation by the Japanese, 12 years of emergency, independence, the formation of Malaysia, the secession of Singapore, and the presence of confrontation, communism and communalism. These are some of the trials and tribulations which have brought disasters to many emerging African and Asian nations. But Malaysia has survived them all and is still progressing, and I have a great admiration for the country and its peoples,” said Mr Duff.

Mr Duff was appointed a member of a special commission to inquire into salaries and conditions in the Malaysian Public Service. At the time of his appointment, Mr Duff was the senior officer for the State Services Commission in the South Island.

basic salary plus perquisites “and at times is very difficult to find what the total compensation packet of a civil servant is,” Mr Duff said. “The differential between salaries and conditions is much wider than in most

The Malaysian Public Service ' had approximately 230,000 civil servants working

for a population of about . other countries. At the loweight million, comprising est levels, the total emoluMalays (Muslims), Chinese ment is considerably less and Indians, Mr Duff said. than, in New Zealand. At the

upper levels, total emoluments compare favourably. Nevertheless, the general level of wages is considerably higher than the level in other Asian countries with the exception of Japan. Generous Leave "The total emolument can consist of basic salary, plus cost of living allowance, depending on marital status, provision of department housing at a fraction of the economic rental or, if not a house, a housing allowance depending on status of position.

“There is a non-contribu-tory superannuation scheme in which after 33 years’ service a public servant can retire on two-thirds of salary; leave provisions are very generous, providing for sick leave up to 180 days on full pay and 180 days on half-pay in any one year; leave of four days for religious festivals, plus 17 statutory holidays, with annual leave of 14 days at the lower level, ranging up to 39 days.” By New Zealand standards, the variations in the public service salaries in Malaysia would seem strange. For example, the basic salary of a clerk was almost four times that of a tradesman.

“The Malaysian Public Service has many problems to solve, but it would be unfair not to mention its many virtues which have contributed to the progress, stability and prosperity of the country.”

Mr Duff said that in his opinion it might have been preferable to have had a commission on organisation and administration structures in the public service, as well as its efficiency and economy before inquiring into salaries and conditions. For example, there were about 80 ministries and departments in the Federal public services. “It will be some years before the shortage of professional and administrative experts is overcome. This shortage has been accentuated by Malaysianisation the replacement of Europeans by local people,” Mr Duff said.

Mr Duff has retired from the New Zealand Public Service, having completed 40 years’ service. He will continue to live in Christchurch.