HOME MINISTRY WANTS PSD TO EMPLOY FORMER ADDICTS

JOHOR BAHARU (Malaysia), Dec 13 (Bernama) -- The Home Ministry, through the
National Drug Agency, has asked to the Public Service Department (PSD) to employ
former drug addicts in the government sector.

Its minister Syed Hamid Albar said this would set a good example to the
private sector to offer employment opportunities to former addicts.

"There are restrictions in the General Orders that do not allow us to
employ former addicts to work in the public sector. We have tabled several
proposals to be considered by the PSD," he said.

Speaking to reporters after opening the agency's Desa Damai service centre
in this southern city Saturday, he said the move was important as many of the
former addicts were highly qualified and as such, were a good source of human
capital for the country.

He added that former addicts given employment would be closely monitored to
ensure they did not go back to their old habits.
-- BERNAMA