Media Statement
Is the Postal Service Playing a Political Game?
A privatised postal service is expected to provide fast and efficient service. That is the only reason for privatising the postal service. But what is the reality?
On 12 September, we despatched by registered post a bundle of copies of the latest Aliran Monthly to an address in Sibu. Today is 25 September, 13 days after we had posted the bundle. Until 12.05 pm, our outlet there had not received the Aliran Monthly.
Is the delay in delivering due to the Sarawak elections? Interestingly enough, this particular issue of the Monthly had focused on the Sarawak state election to be held two days from now. Is this the reason for the delay?
It cannot be a coincidence. The same thing happened just before the 10th general election in November 1999. Our Monthly wasn't delivered on time.
Does the postal service play political games when it comes to delivering critical magazines just before the elections?
Aliran condemns the postal service of Malaysia for this inordinate delay. We demand an explanation for this delay and sloppy service.
Aliran Executive Committee
When we phoned our outlet in Sarawak again at 6.27 pm., they confirmed that the postal authorities had notified them this afternoon that they could now collect the bundle. Upon collection, the bundle wrapper was found to have been torn and removed.
A Sense of D�j� Vu�?
Our Media Statement in Nov 1999
What is Wrong with our Postal Service?
On Tuesday, 23 November, Aliran sent 20 bundles of the latest issue of the Aliran Monthly by registered post to Sabah/Sarawak. It cost us a bomb. We paid RM666 in postage.
Today is Saturday, 27 November and our registered bundles have not been delivered to the addressees. Why?
Our latest Aliran Monthly focuses on the 10th General Elections. Tomorrow is Sunday and Monday (polling day) is a public holiday. If the magazines reach Sabah and Sarawak after Monday, they become dated and will be irrelevant to the reading public. Aliran will suffer a huge loss because the postal services are very inefficient.
We have observed that in the past when there were elections, the delivery of our Aliran Monthly had been delayed. Again now, there are elections and we suppose that it is a coincidence that the delivery of the Aliran Monthly is again delayed.
It is a crying shame, that we have to pay so much in postage for such lousy services.
P Ramakrishnan
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