[BruceQW]

IPOH - Misconceptions among the Chinese has led to the community shying away from the civil service.

Perak executive councillor Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon said one of the misconceptions was that the pay of a civil servant was low.

Citing a graduate teacher as an example, Dr Mah said the starting pay was RM1,695 (S$707.50).

"But taking into account several allowances, including housing and cost of living, a teacher stands to earn at least RM2,400 monthly," he said, adding that the Chinese were not fully aware of other benefits.

Dr Mah was speaking to reporters after opening a briefing on job opportunities in the civil service here yesterday.

Expressing his concern over the low number of applications to the civil service among the Chinese, Dr Mah said the figure had decreased annually and had reached a critical stage.

"In the 1960s, we had a good mix of races but now only 0.1% of applicants to the civil service are Chinese," he added, noting that urgent steps needed to be taken to address the situation.

Stressing the importance of having all races in the civil service, Dr Mah said it would improve the ad_min_istration's efficiency.

"With a varied racial composition, we can get feedback from all races," he said.

The state, he added, would get counselling teachers from schools to encourage students to join the civil service.

-The Star/Asia News Network