Unfair to pick on teachers for MCs abuse, says Sarawak Teachers’ Union

KUCHING (Oct 2): Sarawak Teachers’ Union (STU) finds it ‘particularly shocking’ for the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public Service (Cuepacs) to come up with a statement on teachers making up the large group of civil servants involved in falsifying medical leave certificates (MCs).

“It is an unfair statement towards all teachers who have served with dedication,” said STU president Kullin Djayang in a statement.

“As a teachers’ union, I am very disappointed that Cuepacs would boldly point fingers at teachers.

“We believe that MC-related issues involve all civil servants and are indeed negative, but it is not appropriate to target the teachers’ group through media statements,” he said.

While it is understood that the MCs taken by the teachers are to be submitted to their department heads such as the headmaster or principal, he said these higher authorities have the discretion to either accept or reject the medical certificates based on General Order 15, Chapter C.

He further pointed out that the Circular of Service No. 2 of 2006 states a 15-day provision for outpatient treatment by government medical officers, as was announced by the Director-General of Public Service himself through a JPA Salary circular dated Feb 18, 2022.

Kullin opined that Cuepacs ought to have thoroughly looked into the total number of teachers in Malaysia before making such a statement.

“According to e-operasi data from July 2020, the number of teachers has reached approximately 416,743, and this group forms the largest group of public servants in Malaysia,” he said.

“While calling for a stop for such a ‘bias’ statement towards the teaching profession, STU calls upon all civil servants to be more responsible and committed in their respective duties.”