MALAYSIA
The new Malaysian Government is committed to ensuring racial balance in the Public Service according to the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Mohamed Hanipa Maidin (pictured).
However, he said the appointment of an individual into the Public Service was based on the merits of qualification under the Public Service Commission (SPA).
“The Government has appointed a non-Malay as the Finance Minister based on merit and credibility,” Mr Hanipa said.
“The appointments of the Attorney-General, Chief Justice … all these are examples of what the Government is doing to create an environment where non-Malays will be interested to work in the Civil Service,” he said during a Senate sitting.
Replying to a question from Senator Aknan Ehtook on the racial imbalance among Public Servants, Mr Hanipa said based on statistics from 2015 until June 2018, Malays made up the highest number (79.66 per cent) of people in the Public Service.
“This is followed by Sabah Bumiputeras at 7.84 per cent; Sarawak (5.59 per cent); Indians (3.21 per cent); other races (1.84 per cent); Chinese (1.6 per cent) and natives (0.25 per cent),” he said.
He said the Government had no intention of introducing quotas.
“The SPA feels that the current intake method based on merit is sufficient to give equal opportunities to all candidates and to ensure that only qualified candidates are appointed into the Civil Service,” Mr Hanipa said.
Replying to a Senator’s supplementary question on the Government’s measures to increase the interest of other races in the Public Service, Mr Hanipa said everyone should accept that people’s tastes and interests differ.
“However, I have instructed the SPA to conduct a survey to find out why there is an imbalance in the Civil Service and I am sure this survey will be carried out in a transparent manner to satisfy all parties,” he said.
Kuala Lumpur, 4 September, 2018
