MEMBERS of the National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) in Penang should elect leaders who are outspoken and can act without fear or favour to uplift the image of the teaching profession.
In making the call, former state NUTP chairman Adam Alim Abdullah, 53, said they should sideline leaders who were scared of raising problems faced by teachers with the Education Department.
“Members should also reject leaders who are fond of bodek (apple polishing) department officers so that they will be promoted,” he said in his speech to some 80 teachers who attended his farewell dinner organised by the Penang NUTP branch at the Berjaya Georgetown Hotel on Sunday.
Among those present were NUTP chairman Hashim Adnan, secretary-general Loke Yim Pheng, state education deputy director Ahmad Tarmizi Kamaruddin and state NUTP chairman Ng Weng Tut.
Adam Alim, who opted for optional retirement, said members should view their leaders as friends and not “paid employees” since they do not receive any payment for holding the posts.
“Don’t be rude to your leaders as they merely want to help you without expecting anything in return,” he said.
In his speech, Ahmad Tarmizi said Adam Alim had told him that he had opted for optional retirement since he was frustrated over the promotion system.
“I take note of his feedback and I will relay to the higher authorities when I have the opportunity,” he said.
Ng in his speech commended Adam Alim for being vocal in voicing out the rights and plight of teachers with the department.
“He is strict on certain issues. I have learnt a lot from him. His departure is a great loss to the union,” he said.
Adam Alim had been state NUTP chairman since 2002. He served as senior assistant at SMK Air Itam before his optional retirement on Jan 1 this year.
