KUALA LUMPUR: The government needs to issue a clear circular or guideline regarding the approval for teachers and Community Development Department (Kemas) staff to be involved in politics.

       Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) president Datuk Adnan Mat said it was important to ensure there were no legal violations, including the misuse of power, and to avoid the public making baseless allegations.

       “The approval is sound as even teens as young as 18 have been given the right to be involved in elections.

       “Although civil servants are allowed to engage in politics, their priority must be their duties, and to provide the best service to Malaysians,” he said in a statement yesterday.

       Adnan also said he hoped that the approval would not be misused to force teachers, Kemas staff or other civil servants to engage in politics.

       He added that the contract status of Kemas employees makes them susceptible to threats or abuse if a change in power occurs or if they refuse to conduct political activities if ordered.

       “Cuepacs is concerned that if the approval is misused or misinterpreted by certain parties – or if they are threatened – it could turn civil servants into political tools,” he said.He claimed this had occurred before, involving Kemas staff who were accused of assisting previous governments.

       Adnan also said he further hoped that the government would provide permanent positions to Kemas employees, along with the approval to engage in politics.

       He said other civil servants allowed to engage in politics, like teachers, had permanent positions and could not be as easily abused or threatened.

       He also said the civil service should remain professional even when they have different political ideologies. — Bernama