If the Government does not trim the civil service, eliminate corrupt, arrogant and high-handed officials and replace them with efficient civil servants, Malaysia will fail. UMNO leaders of the past used civil servants as the safe vote deposit bank.
In GE15 last year, the opposition Perikatan Nasional/Bersatu candidate won the Putrajaya seat, mainly voted by civil servants. Civil servants electing the ruling Government is no longer a guarantee as in the past.
The solution is sacking inefficient, lazy, corrupt officials who abuse their authority. The Government of the day must support Heads of Departments who administer the nation wisely, competently and professionally.
Ministers in the Cabinet give directives and decide on new policies. However, the civil service implements and executes the policies and manages the day-to-day operations of Government departments and agencies. The civil service is often described as the backbone of the government.
The problem, according to a social media video broadcast by a lady, is that she has not seen some government departments who have not hung up PMX Anwar Ibrahim’s picture in their offices after nine months in office.
On Independence Day (Merdeka) and Malaysia Day, Malaysians displayed unity under PMX Anwar. Politicians know that their job is to serve the people and the nation. It is not to divide and rule like the opposition. “Enough of all the racist and religious bigotry! They are no longer a valid currency for power and control,” according to commentator and columnist JD Lovrenciear.
The civil service ethos and work ethic are supposed to be based on the ‘neutrality of the civil service’ concept. Unfortunately, the MACC reported that civil servants were the biggest group detained for investigations into corruption and abuse of power, including many high-profile cases.
In another WhatsApp short video, he says the opposition PN Putrajaya MP Datuk Mohd Radzi Md Jidin, alleged in a corruption scandal of RM80 million in purchasing school books, was elected by mostly civil servants in Putrajaya.
In a report by Malay Mail, its FT UMNO Information head Ghulam Muzaffar Ghulam Mustakim appealed following two viral WhatsApp text messages linking the former education minister to irregularities in the awarding of school maintenance contracts and the printing of Islamic studies books.
According to Ghulam Muzaffar, another viral message on the platform links Radzi directly to awarding a contract for printing Islamic studies books in the J-Qaf module for preschools to an individual with the title “Tengku”.
Civil servants are also involved, as can be noted from the 1MDB. Several civil service heads were witnesses and alleged to have been involved in the corrupt cases.
In the past, senior civil service appointments and promotions were based on political patronage and loyalty to Umno, especially since the 1980s, after Dr Mahathir Mohamad was PM. However, since the 1998 sacking of the then Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the loyalty of civil servants to Umno has slowly but steadily eroded.
Yet it still cannot be translated into unquestionable loyalty to the new Pakatan Harapan-led “unity government” for now.
While Anwar reshuffles the Cabinet, he has to restructure the civil service with discernible differences in the approach to deconstructing the civil service. So far, his practice has been respectful, conciliatory and uplifting.
His focus is on “let the best man do the job.” Anwar has emphasised expertise and competence inherent in the civil service while promoting teamwork and collaboration. They need to be honest, efficient and trustworthy.
Much more needs to be done in the wake of increasing complaints and criticisms still being levelled at the civil service. This would require an integrated approach with support from all levels and all branches of the civil service.
To support Anwar’s efforts in improving the civil service, the chief secretary to the government, the public service administration, chief secretaries to the ministries and director generals should enforce strict policies.
The Education Ministry must also play a key role, and their staff who play the race card must be immediately suspended or sacked.
Last year, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) barred both Indian and Chinese traditional costumes from its convocation ceremony. For males, Western outfits – coat and tie – and baju Melayu were allowed, while women had to wear baju kurung or baju kebaya. The cheongsam and saree were barred even though they would be worn under the graduation gowns.
In May this year, a school in Ipoh decided that sarees would be banned during Teachers Day and Hari Raya celebrations, although students were encouraged to wear ethnic clothing. The excuse was ridiculous; the school claimed sarees were unsuitable for Malaysia’s hot weather.
In another frivolous case recently, a school in Klang Valley considered it a punishment for Indian students to wear the saree to a National Day event. Those who did were listed as students who flouted the dress code and were placed under the “Sistem Sahsiah Diri Murid”, which could affect their disciplinary record.
However, the school in Kajang has, after intervention by the Education Ministry, decided to allow traditional clothes for future events.
The crucial question is: What disciplinary action was taken against all these officials for their high-handed and racist actions? If PMX Anwar does not act now, Malaysia is doomed to fail.
Freelance Writer M. Krishnamoorthy (www.imkrishna.net) is a media coach, associate professor and undercover journalist. He has freelanced with Bernama, NST, The Star, and Malaysiakini. He also freelances as a fixer/coordinator for CNN, BBC, German and Australian Television networks and the New York Times. As an undercover journalist, he has highlighted society's concerns going undercover as a beggar, security guard, blind man, disabled salesman and Member of Parliament.
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