KUCHING: An unattractive salary scheme and tedious hiring process are among the reasons why Chinese youth are not drawn to join the state civil service.
Sarawak Federation of Chinese Associations (SFCA) president Datuk Richard Wee said this was not something new as the low Chinese representation in the state civil service has been a long and protracted issue.
He said there were a combination of reasons and elements, including lower salary and less attractive package compared to the private sector.
“There are some negative perceptions in terms of career advancement, where there will be less opportunity to move up or take a higher-level role in a particular department or agency.
“The (usual) long and tedious hiring process has also led the Chinese youth to accept other offers which are available to them first. These are the issues faced by the applicants,” he told New Sarawak Tribune.
On Tuesday, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said it was difficult to promote and attract Chinese youth to join the state civil service despite the state government’s recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) as the pay is low.
Thus, the Sarawak government will come up with its own scheme for the state civil service that proposes to offer high salaries, which will also incorporate a hire and fire policy.
Wee said the revised scheme should take into consideration and make comparison on the average salary package between the public and private sectors.
He also urged the Chinese community to answer the call of the Sarawak government and respond positively, since the Premier is making efforts to overcome the issue and attract more Chinese youth to the civil service.
“I hope that we can achieve our goal in having a more balanced composition of different races in the civil service soon,” he added.
Although Sarawak Business Federation (SBF) secretary-general Datuk Jonathan Chai agreed that the low pay is the main reason, he said career stability when joining the state civil service should be one of the essential elements for consideration.
“Yes, undoubtedly, the initial or starting salaries for certain junior positions in civil service are too low. But, it is a stable career, shielded from any downturn of the economy,” he said.
“While in the private sector, pressure and fear of losing jobs were especially felt during the Covid-19 pandemic when a lot of businesses were not doing well,” he said.
However, it is also timely for the Premier to initiate a review of the salary scheme for the civil service to go in tandem with the rising costs of living.
Chai, who is also the president of the Association of the Boards of Management of Aided Primary Schools in Kuching, Samarahan and Serian said there must be conscientious efforts to do some aggressive promotion in the schools or within the community.
He said that much needed to be done to create awareness and tell the job seekers that it is a good option to join the civil service which used to be described as the “iron rice bowl” because of its job security with stable income.
Above all, he said, there must be a paradigm shift among the Chinese that there are no or poor promotion prospects for Chinese in civil service, especially with the recent promotion of a number of Chinese to certain senior positions including Datuk Hii Chang Kee as the Deputy State Secretary.
“Of course, we should make sure that promotion is based on the performance and merit of the candidates rather than anything else and we want the best people to be hired for our civil service which will help to ensure effective governance,” he said.
Chai said it would be great to have a good mix of civil servants who come from various ethnic backgrounds so that it could closely reflect the demography of Sarawak. Likewise, it should be the same in the private sector.
“This definitely will help to nurture and preserve the racial harmony in Sarawak in the long run,” he added.
According to the Sarawak Government’s eRecruitment website, those with Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) or equivalent qualification can apply for jobs under Grade B19, with an initial salary of between RM1,360 and RM1,476.
Meanwhile, Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) or diploma holders can apply vacancies under Grade B29, with an initial salary of between RM1,499 and RM1,777; and degree holders are eligible to take up positions under Grade G41, with an initial salary of between RM2,084 and RM2,390.
Sarawakians who are interested to join the Sarawak Government civil service can visit https://erecruitment.sarawak.gov.my or submit application online through eRecruitment.
