Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email As more people become aware of their rights and multiple channels for complaints are created, its bound to happen. Due to things like HINDRAF rally, more Indians dare to stand up for their rights. The wins by opposition parties in some states also provides another voice for public to highlight their grievances. The Internet through forums, blogs and websites provides more motivation and information for people to complain. Add to that the gun ho antics of Deputy Minister Murugiah who oversees the public complaints bureau, we have a spike on complaints received.
We have a civil service populated and ran mainly by people purportedly strong on religious values (praying 5 times a day should make me more God-fearing). So, what went wrong? Is it the system? Is it the employees? Is it isolated cases? Is it just a sign of times where people complain at the slightest excuse? Or is it that the civil service need to be revamped?
Complaints on public services have more than doubled in the past three years, especially those pertaining to abuse of power, corrupt practices and late or non-action by the officers concerned.
Public Service Department director-general Tan Sri Ismail Adam said the Public Complaints Bureau received 5,347 complaints last year, a big increase compared with 2,707 in 2005 and 3,397 in 2006.
“For the first nine months of this year, 6,059 complaints have been recorded,” he said in his speech at the opening of the Public Service national Quality Control Circle convention at Crowne Plaza Riverside Hotel here yesterday. Ismail’s speech was read out by his deputy Datuk Dr Ismail Alias.
Ismail expressed concern over the increasing trend of customers being dissatisfied, which marred the image and reputation of the public service.
