Government To Ensure Welfare Of Its Employees - Najib

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 7 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today told the country's civil servants that their welfare will continue to be taken care of according to the government's affordability.

He said the 'People First' concept that he introduced recently also included the civil servants and that their wellbeing would be looked into based on the government's financial capacity.

"Last Saturday, I visited the JKR (Public Works Department) quarters and was saddened with what I saw. The JKR build houses for others, but their staff live in one-room houses, some even add the bedrooms on their own.

"I feel this cannot go on. I said that new projects must be carried out, and will be implemented. When I did the walkabout, when I introduced the 'People First' it includes the civil servants too. We will do it according to the goverment's affordability," he said at the monthly assembly of the Prime Minister's Department (JPM), here on Monday.

On the monthly assembly, Najib said the gathering this time was most meaningful because it was held in the month of Ramadhan, it was also on the day of 'Nuzul Al-Quran' and that the nation celebrated its 52nd year of independence in the fasting month a week ago.

As such, he said Muslims must appreciate the special significance of the Ramadhan and use it as an avenue to develop their inner strength to carry out changes.

The Prime Minister also said that Islam stressed on the principles of social justice and mutual understanding between the people of various religions and ethnic groups.

He said if the Muslims practised these principles, Islam and the Muslims would be more respected and Malaysia would become a successful role model as a Muslim country.

Najib also noted a small but significant change at the assembly this morning when civil servants adhered to punctuality as they had arrived exactly at the time before the commencement of the programme.

"When I arrived here three minutes before schedule, I did not see any civil servant who were still climbing the hill. This means that you had maintained punctuality despite the month of Ramadhan.

"I see this as a transformation. I congratulate all of you," he said.