GE13: Cuepacs asks for leave on May 5 and 6

The Public Service Department (PSD) has been urged to consider granting unrecorded leave on May 5 and 6 to civil servants who want to return to their hometowns to vote in the 13th general election.

Cuepacs president Datuk Omar Osman said the leave would encourage more civil servants, especially those working in the capital, to return home to cast their vote.

Although the May 5 polling day falls on Sunday, it is a working day in several states, he told reporters after chairing a special Cuepacs meeting here, Sunday.

"In states where Saturday and Sunday are weekend days, an unrecorded leave on May 6 (Monday) will avoid those involved from rushing back to the capital, particularly those who work on shift.

"Imagine the difficulty faced by civil servants who work in Kuala Lumpur and had to cast their votes in Kelantan. They may need to take leave just to vote," he added.

Meanwhile, Omar urged the PSD to allow civil servants to withdraw 20 per cent of their gratuity at the age of 50 to enable them to settle their loans before retirement.

He said the Labour Day celebration this year themed 'Cuepacs a Fighter for Employees Welfare' would be held in Negeri Sembilan on May 1.