PUTRAJAYA: Beginning Jan 1, Urban Transformation Centres (UTC) nationwide will operate from 8am to 7pm, as compared to its current operation hours of 8am to 10pm.
This was revealed in a circular signed by chief secretary of the Treasury Datuk Ahmad Badri Mohd Zahir dated Dec 12, 2018, and is being shared on social media.
A source from the Ministry of Finance confirmed the letter's authenticity to NSTP when contacted.
Former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak remarked on Facebook that during his administration, UTCs were made to operate until 10pm because they realised many were working and some could not get time off from their employers to carry out personal errands.
"I would like to ask, how many here have used services provided by UTC? It is easy for you to do your identification card (IC), renew your passports.
"Yes, we thought of the UTC, offering various important services that the rakyat need in one hub or centre. From early morning until 10pm daily.
"Thousands of people frequent UTCs everyday especially outside office hours. Now, UTCs will close at 7pm beginning Jan 1, 2019.
"Good," he said, sarcastically.
"Instead of making things easy for the rakyat, now you are making it difficult for the rakyat to deal with the government. Might as well just close the UTCs," he said.
Meanwhile on Twitter, former Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin also reacted to a photo of the letter shared by @The_UglyOrgan.
"If this is true, this is not a smart decision. UTC, among others, was developed to make it easy for the rakyat to obtain government services outside office hours," he wrote.
The circular stated that UTCs would operate everyday except on federal and state public holidays. Closure for breaks are only on Fridays.
The reason behind reducing the business hours of UTCs by three hours was that the percentage of clients after 7pm was a mere 11 percent.
Another factor was to ensure an efficient government expenditure of UTCs which is to deliver good service without wasting time and energy.
"By reducing the operation hours for UTCs, it is hoped that the issues of job constraint and operational budget allocation specifically in paying utility bills and overtime can be reduced," the letter stated.
Ahmad Badri also asked all ministries, state governments, local authorities, departments, agencies and UTC managements involved would make the necessary announcement on the new business hours to the public.
He informed that the government was committed in ensuring the rakyat would continue to enjoy the services provided by the UTCs, adding that the new business hours should not affect delivery of services.
"All federal and state government departments, statutory bodies and private agencies operating at UTCs are required to adhere to the new business hours to ensure our aim is realised," he said.