PETALING JAYA: Cuepacs hopes the Government’s move in reducing operating expenditure by RM5.5bil will not affect overtime claims filed by lower-ranking civil servants.

Its president Datuk Azih Muda said many lower-ranking staff depended not just on their basic salary to live on, but on overtime claims to cope with the rising cost of living.

“We are worried that many lower-ranking civil servants will not get to make their overtime claims as most of them work after hours,” Azih said in an interview yesterday.

Azih supported the Government’s decision to optimise outlays on supplies and services, especially overseas travel, events and functions and use of professional services which would result in savings of RM1.6bil.

“This must be done continuously for years to come and they must identify which ones are not really beneficial to the Government.”

The Government, he said, should look into integrating certain government agencies with ministries to avoid any overlapping of tasks to save more money.

“There are some agencies that are doing the same job as the local council.

“This can be removed or absorbed to another ministry,” Azih added.

He also gave the thumbs up to the Government for coming up with measures to aid victims affected by the recent floods.

Azih noted that many were struggling to rebuild their lives, adding that the RM500mil Special Relief Facility for SME loan financing would give them a chance to jump start their livelihood.

Cuepacs, said Azih, also welcomed the Bank Rakyat personal loan scheme of up to RM50,000 at a financing rate of 3.9%, with the loan repayment starting after six months, so that the victims could rebuild their damaged houses and property.-thestar