Umno’s strategic communications unit also dismissed the notion that the agencies had been used as political tools by the Umno-led Barisan Nasional government.
“Unfortunately employees at these agencies who were looking to celebrate Aidilfitri have been ‘rewarded’ by having their ‘rice bowl’ taken away. We think it is only appropriate that these workers be absorbed into other government departments and agencies, and not just let them lose their source of income overnight,” it said, adding that Putrajaya should make decisions to benefit of the people, rather than making ‘irrational’ ones.
The Umno statement said “the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) was specifically set up to monitor the public land transport systems and the party dismissed any question of overlapping functions with the Road Transport Department.
It added that while it may be true the government could save about RM500 million a year after dismissing all the agency’s personnel, however, the government’s decision to do away with highway tolls was counterproductive and would involve very high compensation.
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had earlier announced the abolition of SPAD, the National Professor’s Council, Special Affairs Department (Jasa) and federal village development and security committees (JKKP).
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