KUALA LUMPUR – Pos Malaysia group chief executive officer Charles Brewer is in the spotlight for a reportedly dismissive response to a postman’s plea for new uniforms, sparking outrage on social media.
In a screenshot circulating online, a postman asked when new uniforms would be issued, attaching a photo of his worn-out shirt with a torn shoulder.
“Assalamualaikum, when will we get new uniforms? The old shirt is so worn out that a customer had to point it out to me,” the post on staff platform Kyzense read.
An account under the name “Charles Brewer,” believed to be the CEO’s, replied: “Count yourself lucky that you don’t work for one of the foreign carriers who don’t provide uniforms at all.”
The response quickly sparked criticism, with many pointing out that uniforms are a standard part of company operations and not the employee’s choice, particularly for a public-facing role like postal workers. The replies to Brewer’s comments also pointed out that the staff member was just asking a question, as it was noticed by a customer.
Several users told Brewer, who is a UK citizen, to “count himself lucky he still has a job”, reiterating an altered version of the CEO’s initial response to the employee.
Many comments highlighted the stark contrast between Brewer’s high salary and the worn-out uniforms of front-line postal workers, with some users questioning how the company can justify such compensation at the top while continuing to post financial losses.
In a remuneration disclosure sighted by Scoop, the top five senior management members for FY2023 received earnings ranging from a minimum of RM850,001 to a maximum of RM1,350,000, while Pos Malaysia recorded losses of around RM158 million in FY2023.
In contrast, many social media users pointed out that the starting salary for a postal worker is far lower, raising concerns about wage disparity and the treatment of front-line staff within the company. Some noted that lower-level workers seemingly can’t even request basic necessities like uniforms, while top management continues to receive sizeable compensation packages.
Some are even calling for a boycott until Brewer issues an apology.
Meanwhile, several accounts also questioned the appointment of a British citizen as the head of Pos Malaysia, which has the exclusive mandate to deliver universal postal services across the country, instead of allowing a Malaysian to head what is considered the backbone of the nation’s postal network.
It is the only organisation in Malaysia with the legal responsibility to provide universal postal services nationwide and must ensure that basic postal services, like sending and receiving letters, are available to everyone – regardless of location – at standard, affordable rates.
While there are other courier and delivery companies here, they mainly focus on parcel delivery in more profitable areas. In contrast, Pos Malaysia is mandated to serve even the most remote or rural communities.
Its origins trace back to the early 1800s during the Straits Settlements era, with formal establishment as a government department in 1905. In 1992, it was corporatised and later listed on Bursa Malaysia in 2001.
Brewer, who took over as CEO on August 1, 2021, has implemented several initiatives, including a commitment to electrify the company’s last-mile delivery fleet by 2030, installing solar panels on company buildings, and rolling out EV charging stations at selected post offices. He also launched new logistics products such as Red Express and Pos Fulfil, and expanded retail collaborations like Pos Shop and Bask Bear Coffee.
However, internal concerns about the company’s financial health have persisted. Pos Malaysia has posted losses for six consecutive years, with the latest filings revealing a net loss of about RM202.7 million in FY2024, up from RM157.85 million in FY2023.
These financial struggles have raised questions about Brewer’s focus on ESG and retail ventures, which have yet to yield a significant financial turnaround amid declining mail volumes and rising competition.
In August 2021 – the same month Brewer joined – it was reported that the company announced the termination of contracts for 262 outsourced Pos Rider agents in the Klang Valley as part of a rationalisation effort in response to declining mail volumes and growing competition from e-commerce delivery services. These agents were offered priority for part-time positions during peak demand periods.
Pos Malaysia is majority-owned by DRB-HICOM Bhd, which holds a 53.5% stake. Other significant shareholders include Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (3.97%), Employees Provident Fund (1.22%), and individual investors holding around 10.25%.
Neither Brewer nor Pos Malaysia has addressed the matter as of press time, and Brewer has set his X account to private. – April 19, 2025