Dr M: Adopt ‘Bersih, Cekap, Amanah’ motto

PUTRAJAYA: Administrative and Diplomatic Service officers were yesterday urged to adopt the “Bersih, Cekap, Amanah” (Clean, Efficient, Trustworthy) motto when performing their duties.

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad stressed on the need for the officers to be free from corruption and hold firm to a strong moral compass when carrying their duties.

“These three values are important for every person, community and nation to succeed,” he said at a townhall session attended by more than 3,000 officers.

Present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa.

Dr Mahathir said if the values were upheld and put into practice, they could suppress temptations.

“These values will not only discipline oneself, but also improve government administration.”

He classified corruption into two categories: under the table and over the table.

He expressed his fear that the country could be destroyed when corruption was practised openly.

At the session, he was asked on the criteria for the appointment of secretaries-general.

He said apart from studying a candidate’s resume, he would also consider the candidate’s experience and character.

“My advice is that one should not get personally involved. Wait for the recommendation of candidates,” he added.

On heavy school bags, Dr Mahathir said the government would look into it and a study would be conducted.

It was reported that the Education Ministry, under the previous government, had completed its report on the issue, confirming that national and vernacular schools pupils’ school bags were too heavy.

The report’s recommendation included getting schools to observe international standards on the load pupils could carry based on their age and weight.

Dr Mahathir also agreed to a proposal to change the “Saya yang Menurut Perintah” slogan in government letters and circulars to “Saya yang Menjalankan Amanah”.