KOTA KINABALU: City Hall staff have been advised not to borrow from loan sharks or ‘Ah Long’ but to turn to their welfare club if they need any financial assistance.
The advice came from Mayor Datuk Abidin Madingkir who said one of the City Hall staff was beaten by debt collectors and was admitted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
“We are hoping that this incident will not happen in the future as we have our own club in City Hall that will look after the staff’s welfare,” he said at the City Hall Recreational and Welfare Club (Reka Club) annual general meeting yesterday.
Madingkir said the Sabah Government Employees Co-operative Society Bhd (Kopeks), which is chaired by Datuk
Maznah Ghani, has been helping City Hall staff who are facing problem repaying the loans they took from Ah Long.
He said that as a big organization with 1,800 members, the City Hall needs a recreational and welfare club in looking after staff welfare and organizing activities such as sports.
Madingkir said the management of City Hall is unable to manage such activities as they are busy in ensuring all services are carried out properly.
Reka Club is playing an important role strengthening friendship among City Hall staff and supporting the government effort in promoting a healthy lifestyle through its activities.
“I am hoping the new executive committee members for 2011-2013 term that will be installed today will perform their duty well,” he said.
At the event, Madingkir presented 49 souvenirs to all City Hall staff who are due to retire in 2001.