THE Pakatan Harapan government will not penalise any civil servant for helping opposition elected reps in addressing welfare issues, Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Hannah Yeoh said.

She said there is no need for any civil servant, namely welfare department officers, to feel afraid when they are only doing their jobs.

“Government officers don’t have to be afraid. They no longer ‘menurut perintah’ (follow orders) but ‘menjalankan amanah’ (carry out the trust).

“To the welfare department officers who are listening now, we will not penalise them if they help opposition MPs address welfare issues in their areas,” she told the Dewan Rakyat this afternoon.

Since last month, civil servants no longer ended official government letters with the phrase “saya yang menurut perintah” (I who obey orders), but “saya yang menjalankan amanah” (I who carry out the trust).

Yeoh was addressing points earlier raised by various MPs on welfare issues when debating the 11th Malaysia Plan mid term review.

Mastura Mohd Yazid (BN-Kuala Kangsar) and Dr Noraini Ahmad (BN-Parit Sulong) had highlighted to Yeoh that some local welfare department officers were “worried” about assisting opposition MPs.

Mastura said before the government changed, welfare officers would work with her whenever she held regular town hall meetings to address issues affecting the locals in her area.

After May 9, her invitations to the government officers went unanswered, making it tough for her to see to problems in her area, she said.

“I need the welfare department and your ministry the most. The officers, if they come to my town halls, can get things done because I mobilise all the local village leaders to attend.

“Can you please ask your officers to extend their cooperation as usual?” Mastura said.

Noraini suggested that Yeoh put it in black and white that welfare officers are allowed to work together with opposition MPs.

Yeoh said if Mastura was organising town hall meetings for the good of the people, there is no reason for the welfare department officers not to extend their cooperation and assistance.

“As long as it does not involve politics. The right way to do things is without the political party’s logo,” said the deputy minister from DAP.

Mastura responded that she had not been using the Umno logo at her events, which had even gotten her criticised by fellow party members.

The issue on welfare aid started when Yeoh was queried by Tajuddin Abdul Rahman about claims that some welfare aid recipients were no longer receiving money from the government.

She explained that recipients would get aid for a year and then their eligibility will be reviewed in case their financial situation has improved.

“If their situation has not improved, they will be retained on the recipients’ list. If you know of the specific case, you can bring it up with the department.”

Tajuddin then asked whether opposition MPs are allowed to do so.

“Yes. In fact we no longer need the welfare aid applicants to get endorsement letters from their MPs like before,” she said, adding that she would even visit Pasir Salak if invited.

Azizah Mohd Dun (BN-Beaufort) disagreed with the insinuation that the previous Barisan Nasional administration practised favouritism in giving welfare aid.

“When it came to welfare, we took care of everyone,” she said. – October 30, 2018.