BUKIT MERTAJAM, MALAYSIA: There were a staggering 943 applications to fill two administrative posts in the Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) when the deadline expired on Nov 17.

Another 123 people applied for an accountant's post, while 40 applied for a town and country planning officer's post.

Municipal councillor Oon Neow Aun said this was the first time it had received such a high number of job applications.

He attributed this to the tight job market in the private sector and possibly the attractive Government remuneration package.

Oon said the council advertised 49 vacancies in the local media on Oct 31.

"We were surprised by the high number of applications submitted by non-Malays.

"It shows that more Chinese and Indians are interested in government jobs," he said in an interview here yesterday.

Oon said that at present, Malays comprised almost 95% of the council's 1,700 work force.

He said the applicants would sit for a general examination on Monday, and that short-listed candidates would be interviewed in early February.

Another councillor, Soon Lip Chee, said it would be good to hire people from all races to ensure there was enough manpower during religious festivals.

"It will also be easier for multi-racial staff to interact in their mother tongue with ratepayers who have problems communicating in Bahasa Malaysia and English," he said.

Councillor Tan Cheai Peng said while the councillors would closely monitor the hiring of new staff, they would not interfere with the appointment committee?s functions and operations.

"We want the hiring to be done in a transparent and fair manner. The post should go to the most suitable candidate, irrespective of race," she said.

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