Officers surf Net while public waits

JOHOR BARU: Civil servants who misuse their office Internet services have caused a hold-up in the communication system, affecting dealings with the public. 

Johor state secretary Datin Paduka Norsiah Haron said 20% of those working in government departments had been found guilty of the offence. 

She said some staff members misused the Internet to download pictures, songs, and mobile ringtones and some to surf pornographic websites, causing the system to slow down. 

Such abuses also caused delays in dealings with the public. 

“We have a team to track down those who commit these offences, based on their personal identification log-on.  

“I advise all personnel to use the Internet properly, especially for dealings with the public,” Norsiah said during a get-together with Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman and civil servants.  

Some 1,500 civil servants turned up for the event held at Kompleks Islam yesterday.  

Norsiah said she was very serious about Internet abuse, and urged heads of department to monitor their staff. 

She also advised all present to not waste time going for minum pagi dan petang (morning and evening tea breaks) as it could affect the quality of public services.  

Meanwhile, Abdul Ghani said a committee or special panel would be set up to look into reviewing all procedures and regulations relating to public services in the state and make it more transparent and efficient. 

He said the committee would be given six months to complete the task. 

Abdul Ghani said this was in line with the state government’s efforts to curb bureaucracy in the state public services.