Penned by Jayanath Appudurai
___________________________
Dear Chief Secretary,
The ‘Sunday Interview” published in the NST of 24 June 2012 refers.
To the question: “It is said that some civil servants are being influenced by promises made by the opposition. What do you have to say about this?”
You answered: “They should know better. Don’t be taken in by empty promises. As civil servants we must be loyal to the King and serve the government of the day.”
If you had just stated, “As civil servants we must be loyal to the King and serve the government of the day”, no one would have had cause to pick a bone. This would have clearly underscored the cardinal principle of political neutrality on which the Public Service is founded in our system of parliamentary democracy. This is Public Administration 101 that you read as a Cadet PTD Officer at INTAN in 1981.
I am sure by now you are aware of the grave mistake you have committed in boldly pronouncing the first two sentences! A Freudian Slip perhaps, but nonetheless, a damaging one given your exalted position as the Number 1 Public Servant!
Be that as it may, I am confident as a career public servant you will reflect on this in a rational manner and reassure the People that the Public Service under your able stewardship will act in an impartial and professional manner, henceforth.
I believe at some point, in the course of the next 12 months the political neutrality of all public servants, in discharging their onerous duties, will surely be tested. Given the imminent GE13 you will need to prepare public servants to face the probability of change of Federal and/or State government(s).
You need to do two things starting now.
One, as the Chairperson of the Secretaries- General and Heads of Services Meeting, you need to reaffirm and remind that the principle of political neutrality must be upheld at all times, without fear or favour. In turn, all Service Heads including the Army and Police Chiefs, and all State Secretaries must be instructed to convey this important message to their respective personnel.
Two, you need to plan for the smooth transition of power post GE13. In this regard you will be best advised to study how the Civil Service of the United Kingdom prepared itself for all possible scenarios post Election 2010 in the UK. For further information on how admirably the UK Civil Service prepared and subsequently conducted itself in managing the formation of a Coalition Government in the UK please see link below:-
http://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publications/transitions-lessons-learned
I sincerely hope you will take the necessary steps to put in place a comprehensive set of rules and procedures that would reassure the People that the integrity of our democratic polity would not be compromised!
Lastly, I suggest that all transfer of power plans and guidelines be made public prior to GE13 so the People do not have to speculate on outcomes.
The ball is at your feet. I am confident you will deliver to the highest professional standards that all Public Servants must adhere to as prescribed under the Public Service Code of Conduct, and as enshrined in our Federal Constitution.
The People expect no less!
Jong
June 29, 2012
Just a slip of the tongue from this faithful umno dog? His new appointment as “Chief Secretary to the Government” is done for a reason.
What “political neutrality on which the Public Service is founded in our system of parliamentary democracy. This is Public Administration 101 that you read as a Cadet PTD Officer at INTAN in 1981.” Dogs are faithful animals, they can’t read!
He has to be watched, closely.
rajan
June 29, 2012
I dont think he understands what you are suggesting. For all i know, he will be retiring very soon and he will be having wet dreams about being appointed ‘chairman’ of this or that glc.
He will do anything to make sure darkness remains darkness just so that his hopes of being chairman will come true.
Thats the culture of retired senior servants since the system being introduced by MM so as to ensure maximum gains after retirement.
Pity the 2nd last igp, no gains after anwars pains , but the rest sure did make good being multi millioniares.Igp hanif did very very well with AK cos and genting. No play play.
Another Anak Bangsa Malaysia
June 29, 2012
Jayanath,
I’d settle just for a re-affirmation of political neutrality by the Publice Service.
Asking for a plan to manage the transition of power is probably beyond the ability of a Chief Secretary who is beholden to UMNO for his job.
Even worse is the publication of any such transition plans as it will be an admission that all is lost for BN
The Chief Secretary will be demoted to Assistant to the Junior Paper Clip De-Straightener within 3 minutes of any such publication!!!
No, I’ll be happy just to hear the Chief Secretary re-affirm the political neutrality of the Public Service. After all, that is something the Chief Secretary should be fiercely defending, if nothing else.
wandererAUS
June 29, 2012
…….As civil servants we must be loyal to the King and serve the government of the day.”
hahahahaha!
oooo! the Agong is still having a fiesta within the four walls of his palace. We have yet to get any response from His Majestic of treason committed by our Royal Navy selling secret documents to a foreign power. EC registering “unqualified” foreigners as electorate to enhance UMNO/BN to win elections. Chief Secretary you will get better results from civil servants if you changed the composition to various races serving the nation….otherwise, you are nothing but, just another spinner doctor.
Paul Warren
June 29, 2012
This guy tak bolih Palau lag. He is already against the opposition. Presumably the opposition at present. Hence if PR were to win, he will be better advised to either resign or rush to be the first to lick ass. Considering now, although, so far as I know, this is the first time I have seen anyone or any letter or missive addresses to the Chief Secretary of the government to be prepared, he better take it as he being warned. Any unpreparedness on the the part of Civil Servants anywhere, he will be guilty of delinquency.
bigjoe99
June 29, 2012
I really suspect they promoted Ali Hamsa just in case they actually got booted out and need his help to cover things up ala Khusrin. The leap frogged him over a number of people and honestly don’t look Malay even..
Lluuung
June 29, 2012
This is a good one MrJaya Sir,
Pls keep pushing, d entire civil service needs to b waken up to truth n reality before PRU13 .
In fact , they need to free their minds from years of bn indoctrination and exercise personal choice in their voting rights come PRU13.
Thank you so much for opening up their minds ;
pls keep this up ! Well done !!
BEST WISHES,ALWAYS !!
alex abraham
June 29, 2012
Very well said Jaya. proud to be your friend
Ramachandran Ramasamy
June 29, 2012
Political neutrality is a high calling for this “PPN boy”! Looks like Najib trust the Indians and mamak more than his own kind!
yusofnoah
June 30, 2012
This mamak must be from the IMG group. (Macam mamak cangkul parit tu lah).
the mythbuster
July 1, 2012
Mamaks have been in the ascendancy ever since Mamakthir Mohamad Kutty became the PM and undisputed dictator of Malaysia. Ever since UMNO was replaced with UMNO B, it has transformed into the United Mamak National Organization. The strange part is that the pure bred Malays (if there is such a thing) are being very comfortable with mamaks taking over the reins of running UMNO B but also as the heads of all the important departments in the country.
What is the big deal if another mamak (?) Ali Hamsa becomes the Chief ball carrier of UMNO? In Bolehland any assignment in the civil service is possible if the clown is willing to sell his soul to the resident devil in Putrajaya.
His servile services to the country as a minion of the current president of UMNO B will be recognized and awarded with a position as chairman of a GLC.
Nothing surprises me anymore in the very predicable Bolehland.