By Syauqi Jamil
PUTRAJAYA: All civil servants must support the new government’s effort in rebuilding a ‘New Malaysia’.
Chief Secretary to the Government Ismail Bakar said only this way, that the nation can go from ‘small kitten’ to ‘asian tiger’ again.
“All civil servants must support the new government to make the small kitten to grow into a big tiger again.
“This is a challenge to all civil service to ensure our dream of Malaysia developing high income in the near future, a reality,” he said.
He was referring to a recent remark made by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad who said that the previous Barisan Nasional administration had left behind countless problems, turning Malaysia from an Asian Tiger to a small kitten.
Speaking to reporters at the Close and Personal KSN with media casual event earlier, Ismail said that its important for civil servants to maintain a neutral ground on national politics.
He said he has already engage civil servants across Malaysia to brief them on the importance of staying neutral.
“I’ve met the civil servants of Perak, civil servants of Johor and just now with the Administrative and Diplomatic Service Officers (PTD).
“My message is clear. We as civil sevants must uphold political neutrality,” he said.
Despite this, Ismail pointed out that the rules allows civil servants of a certain grade to hold political post upon superior approval.
He said civil servants of Grade 40 and below are allowed to involve themselves in politics with approval, on contrary to officers of Grade 41 and above who can only be a member of a political party upon superior approval.
