Prioritise Spad staff's welfare: Syed Hamid Albar

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has been urged to give assurances on the welfare of the personnel of the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) so as not to raise concerns after the commission is disbanded.
Former SPAD chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar said the matter should be discussed immediately between the Ministry of Transport and SPAD on the process to be implemented.
"The decision of the dissolution of any government agency is the absolute right of the government and indisputable, however, it is important that the government provides a detailed explanation on the status of SPAD members.
"This is to avoid concern among SPAD members about their fate, whether placed in a new posting or laid off," he said when contacted by Bernama here today.
Meanwhile, SPAD's dissolution was totally unexpected by its staff.
A Bernama check at SPAD's office in Kuala Lumpur found that workers had started leaving the office as early as 4.40 pm following the permitted early departure due to the fasting month.
They were not seen taking out any office equipment following the dissolution of the agency which was set up in 2010.
Obviously a handful of the personnel still seemed to be in a cheerful mood and also took selfies in front of the office with their staff card.
A SPAD employee who refused to be identified expressed shock when the commission in which he was working would be disbanded. — Bernama