Getting to Miri itself is turning out to be quite a feat all of its own. Just like the first time I started work way back when, starting out again on this new phase of my career has become another test of jumping through bureaucratic hoops.
Another form?! Another department?!
Are they trying to drive me insane?
Ever been given form A to insert in slot B? Only to find that you need permit C to get form A into slot B - but you need form A to get permit C? Crazy complex eh?
Paul : Do I send in the red form here?
Receptionist : You've got the right department but you have to walk down this corridor and take two lefts to find receptionist B.
Paul : And that's all I have to do?
Receptionist : No. The other blue file you have is for Department C which is two storeys down.
Paul : And that's all?
Receptionist : No. Once you get to receptionist B, you will get a pink form to be sent to Department F which is in another building.
Paul : Next door?
Receptionist : Uhh. No. It's an hour away.
Paul : WTF.
Receptionist : And you will get a form that you need to hand back to us by 4 this evening.
And that's all from the same department. Figures that the office on the right doesn't know what's happening just next door.
That was only the beginning of the day. And I haven't even started on my busy run-around of the administrative buildings in our capital. An impromptu tour of the deepest bowels of the ministry!
Only to find later that receptionist B had taken leave ( of her senses? ) and wouldn't be back for the next few days. Worse, no one else in the office knows how to perform her shockingly imperative tasks. You'd have thought that this particular indispensable office drone had been granted the secrets of the universe to keep rather than a little chop as a glorified pencil pusher.
Though the rest of the staff were appropriately apologetic ( probably because I looked ready to run amuck slaying innocent bystanders ) and promised to get the work done as quick as possible, you can imagine how furious I was at the end of the working day :)
Bureaucracy. Damn. Certainly reminds me of the place that sends you mad!
Seriously. Haven't they heard of something called e-mails and a fax machine? What about a multifunctional one-stop centre?
8 comments:
OMGG!!
if we were you, we would probably throw our communicator phone at someone~
Typical Malaysian charm, huh. Wished I could join you soon, sigh ~
well...tats bolehland for u...its red tape all the way from top to bottom! any wonder so many professionals leave gov service?
is you moving to miri a good thing or a bad news?
anyway, have fun at the new place!
come do the rounds of teh govt. buildings in india, and then we'll swap stories! :)
wowww... so much of hassles. hopefully after this everything would b easy n smooth sailing for u :)
I find that leaning forward over the counter, looking them straight in the eyes (via a laser-guided dagger stare on my end) and whispering in my deepest, most persuasive voice...
" h e l p m e . "
... does the trick sometimes. :P
Almost threw my bag at them, B :) But they got the job done in the end!
You wanna come over, nase? :O
That's oh-so-true, bluesoule!
Not sure, musang. At least I don't know yet but it's a new experience.
That bad eh, closetalk. Must be a colonial leftover.
Agreed, happy.
Tried that, life!
P
Post a Comment