Bleak 2011 for petition writers

0

KUCHING: The public will be losing the services of some 15 regular petition writers operating outside the federal office complexes in Jalan Simpang Tiga here as the state Land and Survey Department wants their ‘pondok’ (huts) to be dismantled by end of this month.

Saibi Kassim

The department had issued the petition writers a letter dated Dec 9 2010 demanding that they vacate the place and also dismantle the huts themselves on or before Dec 31.

The department came up with the directive because the huts are sitting on state land.

When met at his ‘workplace’ yesterday, experienced petition writer Saibi Kassim said moving meant that people who needed their services, especially the illiterates, would surely find many government bureaucratic procedures difficult to overcome.

Besides, he said, the petition writers also offered additional services that were meant to give their clients a lot in terms of convenience like on-the-spot photographs and making photocopies of documents.

“Therefore, we would like to appeal for further extension to operate here,” he added.

But it looks like Saibi and his fellow petition writers, including his four children who have taken after their parent’s footstep, will not get the extension they would love to have.

The reason being the last Land and Survey Department’s letter said further extension would not be entertained.

It was understood that yesterday the petition writers had tried to seek help from their Barisan Nasional representatives, but none could be contacted, probably due to the Christmas holiday.

“All we want is an extension so that we can service the customers or people who need help,” Saibi said, as he spoke on behalf the 15 petition writers.