JOHOR BARU: The Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz's presence on the ground at the Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex is both to address long standing issues and advocate for the welfare of civil servants working there, said a state exco.
State Committee on Works, Transportation, Infrastructure, and Communication chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh said that the state premier's actions also advocate for the welfare and comfort of government officers working at the country's entry points.
He added that problems at the CIQ involve hundreds of thousands of Malaysians, especially Johoreans, who commute daily and should rightfully be a government priority to resolve.
"The Johor Menteri Besar not only seeks high commitment from government officers at the CIQ (Complex) but also advocates for their welfare and comfort.
"Any issues concerning the welfare and comfort of these government officers, he will relentlessly champion until it becomes the concern of the relevant ministers and the Prime Minister.
"From the shortage of officers, officer comfort, officer welfare, parking for officers, to their overtime allowances; these have always been his priority.
"So where is the fault when he demands the commitment that government officers should rightfully give to provide the best service for this state?" he said in a statement here today.
Fazli, who is always present with Onn during visits to the CIQ complex in the Sultan Ibrahim Building (BSI) and Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (KSAB), emphasised that the criticism made by the Immigration Service Union of Peninsular Malaysia president and statement by the Cuepacs secretary-general regarding Onn's determination to resolve congestion issues at these two important locations reflects an unacceptable attitude.
He said this attitude of being unapproachable by certain parties still exists, and that it is unhealthy in the process of improving the quality of public service.
"When Cuepacs demand for salary increases or bonuses, they can make statements openly, but when the Johor Menteri Besar demands the best service, the response is different.
"I am confident that the statements from the immigration union and Cuepacs will not in any way affect his determination and the Johor state government's commitment to continue advocating for congestion issues at CIQ, both at BSI and KSAB.
"God willing, the people and government officers will always stand with the Johor Chief Minister in championing this issue," he said.
Previously, Cuepacs said that any reprimands to civil servants should be made in a courteous manner without being overly publicised on social media.
Cuepacs secretary-general Abdul Rahman Mohd Nordin was reported to have said that this was to prevent situations from arising that do not reflect the actual situation.
Meanwhile, on March 26, Immigration Service Union of Peninsular Malaysia president Ajeet Singh Gurbax Singh was reported to have said that besides frequently visiting BSI and KSAB, Onn also needs to focus on issues concerning the people, especially those involving the B40 group.
Last Sunday, Onn expressed disappointment when he found that more than 13 counters in the car lane were not opened to the public, causing congestion.