Tengku Adnan (centre, in red) and Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Mohd Amin Nordin Abd Aziz (in black suit) having a light moment with members of the DBKL football team after the unveiling ceremony. — Photos: NORAFIFI EHSAN/ The Star
KUALA Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will help its staff manage loan commitments that exceed their repayment capacity.
Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said 1,276 staff were found to have their salaries deducted beyond liveable limits.
“The Government’s policy is to only allow loan commitment of up to a maximum of one-third of their salary, but we found that many have secured hefty loans that resulted in them taking home as little as RM50 to RM100 per month.
“DBKL will offset some payment to increase their take-home salary to keep them from corrupt practices and borrowing money from various sources and falling into the temptation of corruption.
Since they are our staff, we will deduct their salaries slowly and give them extended period to pay back. By doing so, we can reduce the interest charges as well.
“Those involved are the support staff who are in lower ranks. We are also looking at taking disciplinary action against the heads of department or person handling the account who approved such loan applications.
“We are discussing how to implement it and will work closely with Malaysian National Cooperative Movement (Angkasa), Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Ministry and the Accountant General’s Department.
“DBKL can afford to do so and we are checking if Putrajaya and Labuan Corporation can follow suit,” Tengku Adnan said after introducing the DBKL football club at the DBKL training institute in Cheras. The team will compete in the FAM league this year.
Tengku Adnan said Angkasa revealed the situation was not exclusive to DBKL but to other government agencies as well.
“A teacher with a salary of RM6,000 was found to take home only RM700, while a driver earning RM3,000 with overtime takes home nothing.
“Some hire-purchase plans are attractive that the buyer does not realise they are paying an exorbitant amount of money in the long run.
“The Government needs to re-look at the hire-purchase policy that contributes to this situation,” he said.
At another event, Tengku Adnan said the Federal Territories Ministry would consider selling Sri Kedah flats in Section 2, Wangsa Maju to tenants.
He made the announcement at the Kenduri 1Wilayah Persekutuan in Jalan Langkawi, held for residents in Wangsa Maju constituency.
“Our current policy on the sale of flats covers units of minimum 800sq ft. The units in Sri Kedah are only about 650sq ft.
“We have plans to redevelop the area and provide more comfortable housing for the people.
“The tenants have been staying here for over three decades with hopes that they will get the chance to own it one day. If the tenants do not mind, then we can consider selling it as it is,” he said to a cheering crowd.
Tengku Adnan also promised to look into resolving the infrastructural problems at Teratai Mewah Apartments in Taman Setapak.
“Although it was a private project, the ministry and Kuala Lumpur City Hall will discuss how we can help. It is known that the lifts, roof and wiring need repairs and the building needs a new coat of paint,” he said.
The minister also gave his word to set up an office for some 11,000 People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) members in the constituency.
Also present was Federal Territories Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Adnan Md Ikhsan, Federal Territory MCA chairman Datuk Yew Teong Look and Wangsa Maju Umno chief Datuk Dr Mohd Shafei Abdullah.
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