KUCHING, 20 Nov 2008: The Public Complaints Bureau (PCB) will continue to aggressively solve problems faced by the people despite increasing criticisms from various quarters, including ministers and deputy ministers who are unhappy with its actions.
While defending PCB’s actions which were indeed within its jurisdiction, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department T Murugiah said PCB had the right to interfere in the affairs of the other ministries if there were public complaints about the services of the ministries and their agencies or departments.
“Some ministers are not happy with us because we interfere (in the ministries’ affairs). If you don’t want us to interfere, you solve the problems. Don’t let the public come to us with complaints,” he told reporters after visiting the Sarawak PCB office at the Bank Negara building, here, today.
“When we receive complaints, we have to go after you. We’ve got no choice. So, how do you expect us to solve the problems without interfering in your ministry’s affairs?” he said.
Among those who had recently openly criticised Murugiah were Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar over the food served to Internal Security Act detainees, and Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk M Saravanan over the lift breakdowns at a private condominium in Sentul, Kuala Lumpur.
Murugiah reiterated that PCB would continue to be aggressive by giving wide publicity to the problems faced by the people in an effort to create awareness on PCB’s existence and role in the public service delivery system.
He said PCB, with its 270 officers, was serious in solving people’s problems and complaints.
To create greater public awareness on PCB, he said, the agency would provide integrated mobile counters for public complaints throughout the country, with the involvement of various government agencies and departments.
“We want to solve problems. We want to bring the people closer back to the Barisan Nasional government. We know they can be frustrated or disappointed if their problems or complaints are not attended to.”
Murugiah said this year, Sarawak PCB had received 243 complaints until yesterday through various channels, including phone calls, e-mails and facsimile, with 96% of the complaints solved. — Bernama
