Malaysian Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim has urged the nation’s Public Servants to work alongside his Government, saying it is impossible for Ministers to achieve success without them.
“Having had previous experience working in various Ministries, I have benefited from the views and ideas brought forward by Civil Servants,” Datuk Seri Anwar said.
The Prime Minister said he would advise his Cabinet Ministers to forge good working relations with Public Servants.
“I will be sure to remind them to respect the process,” he said.
The Prime Minister’s comments came a day after President of the main Public Service union, the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (CUEPACS), Adnan Mat called for the Government to prioritise competent and capable Public Servants over political appointees for senior Government posts.
Datuk Adnan (pictured) said political interference and favouritism in appointments should be avoided to ensure Public Servants were able to assist Ministers to the best of their abilities.
“Any favouritism in the appointment of senior officers could affect Public Service operations if such appointees are not competent and are unable to carry out their responsibilities effectively in advising their respective Ministers,” Datuk Adnan said.
“External appointments to these senior posts also restrict the career development of those already in the Public Service.”
He stressed that CUEPACS did not have any issues with qualified political appointees, but maintained that appointing Public Servants was the better option, especially when there was a change in Government.
“Political appointees may be forced to resign when a Government changes, thus affecting the services in the Ministries,” Datuk Adnan said.
Kuala Lumpur, 1 December 2022
