Use of %DEC with unformatted character numerics

I have a number in a character parameter 7a ('0000128') and I want to use
%DEC() to convert that to a packed 7.2 field.  However, I get 128.00
instead.  The reference manual is not completely clear on the decimal point
requirements for a character string numeric.  

        "The decimal point is optional. It can be either a period or a
comma."

Is the decimal point optional in that it can be either a period or a comma
or is it optional completely, be a period or be a comma?

If %DEC() is treating my number as a whole number then I must say that I
have been highly disappointed in the new features added to V5.2 for %DEC(). 


We often pass numeric data between programs in character fields (no comment
please if you don't agree with this) and convert them back to numeric.  We
rarely include the decimal point since the only method to date was to use
MOVE to convert it back to numeric.

I would prefer to not have to do this just to use %DEC() if the decimal
point is required in order for %DEC() to format the value as 1.28.
/FREE
   CDSRTL = %DEC(%subst(PASSSUGRTL:1:5)+'.'+%subst(PASSSUGRTL:6:2):7:2);
/END-FREE


Thank you,
Matt Tyler
WinCo Foods, Inc
mattt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx