KUALA LUMPUR: Civil servants are not allowed to be involved in any activities or events where alcohol is served, says the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs).
Cuepacs president Datuk Dr Adnan Mat said that every officer must uphold the integrity, image and dignity of the public service, in line with the professionalism and code of conduct stipulated in the Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993.
He said that participation in activities that could tarnish the reputation of the department or create a negative perception of the government is absolutely unacceptable.
"Cuepacs advises any civil servant who receives an invitation to an dinner or banquet that may serve alcoholic drinks to immediately seek clarification from the organiser.
"If there is doubt that the event involves alcoholic drinks, civil servants should decline the invitation and immediately report it to the relevant authorities or their head of department," he said in a statement on Monday (Oct 6).
Adnan said Cuepacs urged the private sector to respect culture and religious sensitivities, especially for official events attended by civil servants.
"Cuepacs also calls on all government departments and agencies to be more cautious in selecting events or programmes they participate in to avoid creating a bad perception of civil servants and to ensure the image of the public service remains respected by the people," he said.
Meanwhile, the Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (Abim) proposed that the government formulates a code of ethics for official events, that includes guidelines on organising official events, including for attire, use of public resources, state protocol etiquette and a prohibition on serving liquor.
Meanwhile, Pahang mufti Prof Datuk Dr Asmadi Mohamed Naim said that while the right of non-Muslims to consume alcohol privately is respected, it should not be served at government events. – Bernama
