The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) wants the DAP-led Penang government to build more affordable houses to be sold at a reasonable price to civil servants in the state.

Its president, Datuk Azih Muda, said a reasonable house price should be the main aspect of consideration for the state government as most civil servants could not afford to purchase a house priced at around RM400,000.

"It is our hope that more affordable houses for civil servants or any other houses with reasonable prices can be built in the state.

"With the rising cost of living, including childrens' education and nursery, utility bills and logistics, there is no way a civil servant can afford to purchase a house at a price of RM400,000. Those in the implementer group can only afford to purchase a house which is priced between RM90,000 and RM150,000."

He said this to reporters after giving a briefing on public service and other issues to over 200 Penang civil servants at the Tun Abdul Razak Complex here today.

Azih said the federal and state governments, as well as non-governmental organisations, should work closely together to help civil servants to own a house by building more affordable houses which could be purchased at a reasonable price.

"We don't want civil servants to continue living in government quarters or rented houses. We want to ensure that before they retire, they will have at least one house which they can call their own," he said.

Meanwhile, Azih also called on the government to reconsider the decision to reduce the supply of uniforms for civil servants as stipulated under the recent circular issued by the Treasury entitled 'Guidelines to measures in optimising government spending'.

The circular, among others, called for corporate civil servants to reduce their uniforms from three to two sets a year.

"It's hard to have only two sets of uniforms for a year. We suggest that the number be increased to four sets, not reduced," he said, adding that it was hoped that Cuepacs would not be sidelined by the Finance Ministry in any discussions concerning amendments of Treasury circulars which would affect the civil servants.