Smile - Your Boss May Be Watching

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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Government employees in a Malaysian state

are being monitored by security cameras to keep them from slacking

off at work or vanishing for long tea breaks, a news report said

Monday.

 

 

 

Sixteen closed-circuit television cameras were installed recently to

improve security in northeastern Terengganu state's main government

administrative complex, but they serve an additional purpose of

keeping tabs on some 1,000 workers there, Terengganu State Secretary

Mokhtar Nong told The Star newspaper.

 

" We would know if they are adhering to office etiquette or playing

truant, and we can also gauge if they are disciplined at work, "

Mokhtar said, adding that another 26 cameras will be set up soon.

 

Mokhtar's aide said he was busy with meetings Monday and could not be

disturbed. Other officials could not comment on the report.

 

Mokhtar and Terengganu Chief Minister Idris Jusoh were among those

with access to the surveillance tapes, The Star said.

 

Officials and workers interviewed by the newspaper praised the

measure.

 

State Communications Unit deputy director Ruslan Abdul Rahman was

quoted as saying the decision was " a brilliant idea, " stressing that

workers should " accept the move in a positive manner as this will

actually encourage them to excel further. "

 

Abdul Mubin Ismail, who works in the youth and sports department,

told The Star that the move was " not to pinpoint our errors but to

mold us into becoming more responsible. " He added that the

surveillance could also curb office politics and sexual harassment.