KUALA LUMPUR: The umbrella group for civil service unions has voiced shock and disappointment over a planned overseas trip for 68 government officials to Berlin, Germany.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the trip had been cancelled.
"It (cancellation) should not happen at the Prime Minister's level, to the point he had to cancel it," said Cuepacs president Datuk Adnan Mat.
"It should be addressed at the department head level; they need to make adjustments, as this is related to issues of cost savings and governance," he told Berita Harian.
Adnan said such trips should not happen in the first place, especially when the government was trying to save funds.
Yesterday, Anwar said all overseas trips must be referred to the secretary-general or director of a ministry or agency and approved by the respective minister.
https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/09/1108248/govt-cancels-berlin-t...
Adnan said the government could save on overseas trips by allowing only the officials who needed to go to do so, without an entourage.
He said Malaysia has representatives in overseas agencies and diplomats who could represent the country at events.
"Optimise the use of our officials overseas, they can provide feedback to officials here because technology is so advanced now, they do not need to be physically present (to communicate)."