By Olivia Miwil - October 22, 2021 @ 12:45pm
KOTA KINABALU: The state government has been urged to investigate allegations of sexual and monetary misconduct at a government department here.
This call was made in a joint statement by the Society for Equality, Respect And Trust for All Sabah (Serata) and the CSO Platform for Reform (Sabah Chapter), endorsed by 38 Civil Society Organisations and 289 individuals.
Among those who signed the statement include Danau Girang Field Centre, Friends of the Orangutans (Malaysia), Future Alam Borneo, Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat Alam – Kuasa among others.
The allegations were made against a senior executive of the Sabah Wildlife Department's Wildlife Rescue Unit (WRU).
On Oct 19, the senior officer had posted a photo of three young women with a caption using a derogatory term used to describe female dogs on his Facebook page.
The post was taken down shortly after with an amended caption and a short apology.
However, new posts accusing the same senior executive of various misconducts in the department, came up the same day.
Facebook user Carolina Zu, who is an ex-staff of the department, shared a letter she wrote on Facebook, addressed to the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) Director Augustine Tuuga on July 5, 2019 after her resignation from the department.
In her letter, she shared her disappointment working in WRU, which she described as a "tense and hostile work environment".
Zu claimed that funds were not properly allocated to necessary services, and salaries were not paid in full, while used lavishly on unnecessary and inappropriate expenses.
She also highlighted several disturbing incidents of harassment and unethical behaviour, including name-calling.
More incriminating information was released yesterday on her Facebook, showing screenshots of inappropriate messages sent through WhatsApp.
"In light of the above, we strongly urge the Sabah government to investigate these claims and provide a proper response as this is a matter of public concern.
"We, the undersigned Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and individuals are highly concerned over the allegations of sexual and monetary misconduct at a government department, and demand an immediate response from the relevant authorities regarding this matter.
"We are also concerned with the disrespectful behaviour and treatment towards women working in the department,".
The statement also said as Malaysia acceded to the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), necessary action needs to be taken to ensure women have the opportunity to work in a safe and respectful environment.
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