Rafidah Shows Lack Of Understanding For Woes Faced By Real People Says Cuepacs

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Cuepacs president Adnan Mat said many civil servants did not have savings like former minister Rafidah Aziz to fall back on.PETALING JAYA: Cuepacs has shot back at former international trade and industry minister Rafidah Aziz, who refuted its proposal to have the Public Sector Home Financing Board (LPPSA) defer housing loans for civil servants.
On Thursday, Cuepacs, the umbrella body for civil service unions, said while their salaries had not been affected by the pandemic, their overall household income had been affected.
This was because many spouses of members working in the private sector or running small businesses had faced job losses or income reduction.
Yesterday, Rafidah questioned why those who had been unaffected by the pandemic and drew regular salaries needed help, suggesting the government’s efforts be focused instead on assisting those whose pay had been directly affected.
“Like me, I have a regular income because of my pension,” she told FMT. “Why should I be shouting for help?”
In a statement, Cuepacs president Adnan Mat said Rafidah’s comments “showed that she does not understand the real problems of ordinary people” who had not enjoyed as fruitful a career as hers and likely did not have as healthy a savings account.
“The savings in her bank account may not need to be touched, which is not the case for other government retirees who may have no savings at all because they still have children studying.
“However, are all government retirees in the same position as the former minister?”
Adnan reaffirmed the group’s stand that a reduction in total household income should be the basis for the deferment, as over half the spouses of civil servants worked in the private sector or as small business owners.
“It is not wrong for Cuepacs to amplify (affected members’) voices, because they are also affected when their spouses can no longer do business, their salaries are cut or laid off.
“Moreover, most of the assistance channelled by the government is already based on the direct impact on households rather than individuals alone.” - FMT

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