MIC is constantly announcing that there are plans/proposals/initiatives to increase the number of Indians in civil service. Latest is the plan to put in place a quota across the board for civil service. That means 8% of officers, not only 8% of low level support staff jobs. But how long it will take to be approved and implemented is anyone’s guess. We don’t exactly have any good track record on getting things done.

Murugiah was commenting on the statement by Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri S. Subramaniam that there were 20,000 vacancies available in the civil service.

Subramaniam had announced there would be a “major breakthrough” in the request for increase in non-Malay recruitment in the civil service.

On a statement by MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu that there should be quotas on places set aside for non-Malays in the civil service, Murugiah said he would be meeting with SPA on the matter on Monday.

Meanwhile, PPP’s Murugiah is butting into MIC’s territory when he said there are plans to meet with Public Services Commission (SPA) :

Deputy Minister in Prime Minister’s Department Senator T. Murugiah said he would also be meeting with the board of the Public Services Commission, which is responsible for interviewing and recruiting civil servants, particularly non-Malays.

“We have checked thoroughly and these are the places available that need to be filled, either due to promotion or retirement. There has also been some restructuring of government agencies, which may see more vacancies, as well as demand for more staff from the ministries.

“These vacancies do not take into account available posts in the teaching or police professions, which conduct their own recruitment, as well others in the local authorities and councils,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby on Wednesday.

“In 2007, 827,540 Malays applied for positions in the Government, of which 41,117 were successful. For the Chinese, there were 17,443 applications, of which 2,286 were successful, and for the Indians, 24,815 applications, of which 2,367 were successful.

“I will the matter further with my minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok and we will hand in any proposal to the Cabinet,” he said.

So, we can expect another round of unhappiness from MIC over Murugiah’s transgressions.

Anyway, just to share a story, someone I know applied for the PTD position quite recently. As you many know, PTD (Administrative and Diplomatic Officer) is considered the creme of the crop of public service. They constitute degree holders from all kinds of fields unlike those in the medical, engineering or IT service scheme. Entry into PTD is quite strict – 5 written exam, a one day assessment, and an interview. The person I mentioned above did well in exam  and was shortlisted for the assessment (PAC). Unfortunately, the person did not pass the assessment even though was confident of doing well and believed had done excellently during the assessment.

This year, PTD positions will be offered on two year contract basis, with rumours saying that its due to the performance of recent intakes. If the officers performs well in two years, he/she will be confirmed into a permanent position.