Kepong member of Parliament Dr Tan Seng Giaw's search for action on the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) front has been in vain. He cannot be blamed for fuming today.

On Monday, he was full of confidence that he would find some officers at their desk after the long break last week for the Deepavali and Hari Raya holidays.

He rang the City Hall Parks and Urban Services Department, hoping to bring up some matters relating to a park in his constituency.

He was told that the person in charge of public parks, Zulkfili Endut, would only be back next Monday.

What helped was the information that deputy technical assistant Zairul Nizam was on a site inspection and would definitely be in today.

The enthusiastic MP decided to meet Zairul in person, so he went to the department today.

"I went to the 19th and 20th floors of the DBKL building and saw many empty desks. Zairul had not turned up to work. There was nobody in charge of parks and sports centres in Kepong," said the exasperated Tan.

Review system

The DAP deputy chairperson claimed that the department is not the only one that is functioning fully in the country and he wants something done about this.

"Going on holidays is important. But six days after Hari Raya, some officers should be back on duty," he said.

"We hope that (Prime Minister) Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will look seriously into the system of public holidays, including ensuring there every department has a work schedule."
For now, Tan is not giving up - he will be going back to City Hall tomorrow.

"I will continue to go until I get to see the person in charge," he said.

Department director Zarina Ahamad Osman could not be reached for comment today. Her deputy Zakiah Mohamed is on leave.