RM45m city overtime bill

KUALA LUMPUR:

A staggering RM45 million! That is the amount of City Hall overtime claims last year.

The RM45 million that City Hall paid out to its 11,200 employees in 27 departments averages to RM4,017 per employee. And up to June this year, City Hall forked out RM31 million in overtime.

The bulk of the claims was made by staff in three departments: petty traders management and development, health and licensing department and public works department.

Kuala Lumpur Mayor Ab Hakim Borhan said the huge amount of overtime payment showed that there were some discrepancies in the management of the employees' schedules.

"It is our responsibility to ensure that the city is well kept and properly managed and that is the reason we allow our employees overtime claims. But that does not mean it should reach this level. There has been some poor management and staff scheduling.

"Clocking in long hours doesn't necessarily mean that they are working. For all we know they could be coming into office to do other things apart from office work," he said.

To counter the abuse of overtime claims, Hakim said City Hall would set up a task force to monitor the work schedules of all its staff.

"Logically, if all the employees are working overtime, there shouldn't be any complaints against City Hall (from the public). There shouldn't be any problems with our reports and there would be no illegal activities in the city and enforcement would have been carried out in a proper manner."

"Over the years City Hall has faced a lot of challenges which cover many aspects mainly the quality of work. However, I would like to emphasise one important aspect of City Hall which is playing the part as service provider.

"Lately, the public has doubted our ability, reliability and integrity.
So, what is the basis of their doubts? Do they simply want to criticise our work?
I don't think so. I believe that city folk are mature enough to judge for themselves and express their doubts.

"There have been a lot of reports in the newspapers criticising City Hall and the complaints keep piling up. This is not nice to see and the perception that the public has on City Hall is also not positive. So, I believe that we have to double our efforts and work harder," he said.

"I hope that all City Hall employees and officers will change their culture so that City Hall can work towards making Kuala Lumpur a world class city," he said, after presenting certificates to 670 City Hall staff for excellent service.