The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (CUEPACS) has stressed that civil servants in Malaysia are not allowed to use social media platforms such as TikTok, Facebook and others while on duty.
Its president, Datuk Dr Adnan Mat, was quoted by Harian Metro as saying that civil servants must fully focus on performing their duties during working hours, as established in the official circular issued by the Public Service Department (JPA) in June 2013.
Civil servants in Malaysia are not allowed to use social media whilst on duty
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He added that using social media during working hours, except for official tasks, can affect productivity, hence, may be considered a violation of the Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993 P.U. (A) 395.
Therefore, CUEPACS advised all civil servants to adhere to the guidelines to preserve the integrity and professionalism of the civil service.
Adnan Mat added that CUEPACS added that JPA has a mechanism to monitor adherence to the Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993 and keeps a record of civil servants who violate the regulations.
However, the number of civil servants who have faced disciplinary action is not made public by JPA.
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Regardless, Adnan Mat said that CUEPACS urges all civil servants to continuously adhere to the ethics and code of conduct prescribed in public service, including when using social media, to preserve the reputation of the civil service in the eyes of the rakyat.
The CUEPACS president stressed,
“Integrity and focusing on their tasks are the pillars of the rakyat’s trust towards the national public service,”
Datuk Dr Adnan Mat
So, what do you guys make of Adnan Mat’s statement? Do share your thoughts with us in the comments.
Also read: Pick Up the Pace: Govt Urges Civil Servants to Step Up Service Quality for the People
