SHAH ALAM, 20 Nov: Selangor Executive Council (Exco) members and Parliamentarians welcome the move by the Chief Minister, Mohamed Azmin Ali, who directed all relevant departments and agencies to not give him gifts during field programmes.
The circular regarding this directive was issued by the State Government Secretary (SUK), Datuk Mohammed Khusrin Munawi, who distributed them to all heads of departments, agencies, municipality council presidents, district officers and mayors, as well as all state administration heads, dated November 13.
The Member of Parliament for Shah Alam, Khalid Samad, said that the directive which was issued is good practice which is different from the norm.
He said that the giving of gifts requires a large sum of expenditure and it is not a big or required thing to be provided by the organisers of any programme.
“If Azmin wants to start a new culture and stop the existing one, then I welcome his move to reduce the problem of wastage.
“The rejection of gifts is not a law that has to be followed, but if other Exco members or Parliamentarians want to follow it, it is good practice.
“Do not overdo it in giving gifts. The directive issued may reduce the spending of agencies or organisers, in addition to saving the time of staff responsible of looking for gifts,” he said when contacted by Selangor Kini.
Meanwhile, the Selangor Exco for Health, Dr Daroyah Alwi, said that Mohamed Azmin is someone who is moderate and prioritises the performance of agencies, departments, local authorities and district offices when he only received a report book as a gift.
“With the giving of the report book, the Chief Minister would obtain more information on the work and performance of the related organisations or agencies.
“For me, all this while I did not receive expensive gifts because usually, organisers will give fruits, flowers and local produce. It is sufficient and does not need a high budget, but we (Exco) do not expect gifts in the field,” she said.
NS
