GOVERNMENT workers will not lose their jobs as a result of privatisation of the civil service, says Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng today.

Lim said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced this month that Putrajaya is looking at privatisation as a means of reducing the financial burden of the government while maintaining jobs.

“The prime minister has repeatedly said that privatisation will not result in civil servants losing their jobs.

“We do not want his statement to be misinterpreted. We are not sacking or terminating any civil servants.”

He gave as an example the privatisation of Telekom Malaysia Bhd in the 1980s, saying employees were absorbed by a new corporate entity, which, in turn, helped the government trim the civil service without there being job losses.

Lim said the government is looking at ways to privatise the civil service without having to lose jobs and benefits, adding that no decision will be made without prior consultation with stakeholders.

The move will also take into account proposals by the affected employees, he said.

Lim added that the sectors to be privatised will be announced by the prime minister. – March 19, 2019.