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January 30, 2009 14:31 PM

Get-Rich-Quick Schemes Tarnishing Civil Service Image

By Sajad Hussein

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 30 (Bernama) -- The "get-rich-quick" schemes are causing a negative impact on the civil service as more than 50,000 government employees are believed to be actively involved in promoting the dubious deal.

What was most worrying was that many senior officers and heads of departments were encouraging their subordinates to participate in such schemes which promised quick and multiple returns for a small investment.

Cuepacs secretary-general Ahmad Shah Mohd Zin told Bernama today that the congress was very concerned with the development as it eroded the people's confidence in the service.

He said that the problem was so serious that the Public Services Department (PSD) issued a special circular banning civil servants from joining such schemes.

The Circular 2/2009, signed by PSD Director-General Tan Sri Ismail Adam, and took effect on Jan 13, bans all categories of civil servants from promoting, participating or investing in such schemes.

The circular, which also covered those in the statutory bodies, local authorities and state government authorities, also instructed those involved in such schemes to cease the activities immediately or face disciplinary action.

It said that the participation by a large number of civil servants in such schemes could mislead the public into thinking that the schemes were approved by the government.

The circular described get-rich-quick schemes as a marketing method which promised high returns with small investment while the organisations that promoted such a scheme were not registered with any of the licensing authorities.

The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (Fomca) fully supported the government's move to ban civil servants from the activities.

Its secretary-general, Muhammad Shaani Abdullah, said the schemes were not only promoted by Malaysians but also foreigners through the internet.

The schemes were usually based on the multi-level marketing model where early entrants gained more than those who joined later.

Muhammad Shaani described the schemes as a "victimisation of the majority by the minority early birds."

He said the scheme thrived on greed and eroded the true business value of honesty and fair play.

Ahmad Shah said that although the government had given permission to some civil servants to engage in business on a part time basis, it did not mean that they should get involved in dubious activities.

-- BERNAMA