Government Quarters...
Providing accommodation for government employees
All public service employees ought to have a sense of pride and confidence
that they are to employed by the largest employer in the country
- the government.
This is not only true of Malaysia but also fact in all countries of
the world. The government has the most number of meployees on its payroll
compared to private-sector employment.
Being the biggest employer, the government is in a better position
to provide basic amenities and conveniences for its staff-the civil
servants.
One of the most desirable facilities, amongst others, for a civil service
employee is a roof over their heads and that of their families.
It is a universal fact that humans require shelter for protection from
the elements and privacy from others.
An increasing number of public service employees have taken up the
oppurtunity to own houses, be they low-costs or otherwise.
But still, quite a number of these employees are waiting for the chance
to go along the same path as their contemporaries and become the proud
owner of 'my house'.
In the meantime, those eligable for government quarters and are now
occupying them must be aware of their duties and responsibilities as
spelt out in the State Public Service General Order 1995, Chapter VI.
What can we say about those who are now staying in the government quarters
around the country?
These are Civil Service employees who are deemed eligable to accupy
those quarters by virtue of their ranks in the service.
But is it incumbent upon the government to provide quarters for her
employees?
The answer is no! The State Public Service General Orders 1996, Chapter
VI, #221 states that "The Government is not responsible for providing
Government quarters for its officers save only as stated in Geberak
Order #222."
General Order (G O) #222 goes on to list down officers who may be provided
quarters by the government.
In other words, the government does not bind itself to provide quarters
for its employees expect in specific circumstances and to eligable category
of officers as stated in G O #222 (Tabke 1).
The chief Ministers Department (Development Administration and Public
Affairs Division) has done a 'Survey on State Government Quarters Inventory'
dated 27.10.1998.
For the purpose of the survey, ;Quarters' include flats and barracks
maintained by JKR but exclude institutional quarters and private building
rented by government for residential purpose.
Their findings, based on the analysis of the latest data (20.6.98)
are summarised thus :
Total number of quarters
ownes by the governmet |
- |
3306 |
Number of quarters that
are occuoied |
- |
2972 |
Number of quarters
that are vacant |
- |
259 (8%) |
Number of quarters for
Board of Survey (B.O.S) |
- |
75 (2%) |
| Average occupancy rate |
- |
92% |
Tenancy situation
(a) State Officers |
- |
2415 (81%) |
| (b) Federal Officers |
- |
459 (16%) |
(c)Statutory Bodies, Privatised
& other organisations |
- |
98 (3%) |
The findings revealed that out of the total number of 3,306 government
quarters, 259 of these are still not occupied.
These quarters are still in good condition and do not include the 82
quarters which are in bad shape and need major repair or to be boarded
off by the Board of Survey.
The three main reasons given by the majority of the Housing Boards
for vacant quarters are that there are no qualified applicants; the
vacant quarters are reserved for new officers due to transferof previous
occupants and the quarters are waiting major repairs to be done.
Meanwhile, the survey also revealed that the quarters that are in great
demand are in the following stations:
| Divisional Hq. |
Other Station |
| Sibu |
Bau |
Tebedu |
| K. Samarahan |
Lundu |
Kanowit |
| Kuching |
Niah |
Lawas |
| Bintulu |
L. Antu |
Belaga |
| Kapit |
Pusa |
Serian |
| Miri |
Sebuyau |
Beluru |
| Limbang |
Pantu |
Maludam |
|
Table 1
|
|
SIXTEENTH SCHEDULE (G.O. 222(2))
|
|
Classification Of Gevernment Quarters And Officer Eligibility
|
|
GOVERNMENT QUARTERS
|
| Grade/Category |
Salary |
Class of Quarters |
| Special Grade "B" and above |
|
C |
| Special Grade "C" |
|
C |
| Category I |
3,563 and below |
C |
| Category II |
- |
C |
| Category III |
2,456 and above |
C |
| Category IV |
2,404 and above |
C |
| Category III |
2,455 and below |
D |
| Category IV |
2,403 and below |
D |
| Category V |
1,849 and above |
D |
| Category VI |
1,913 and above |
D |
| Category V |
1,848 and below |
E |
| Category VI |
1,912 and below |
E |
| Category VII |
- |
E |
| Category VIII |
- |
E |
| Categories IX and X |
- |
G |
| Category XI |
- |
Barrack Type |
