Huge task to change mindset of civil servants on loyalty to govt — Chai

MIRI: It is a great challenge to change the mindset of civil servants on the right concept of loyalty to the government of the day, said United People’s Party ( UPP) Pujut branch chairman Bruce Chai.

He agrees with the recent reminder to civil servants by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that their loyalty should not be up to the point of complying with directives contrary to the law.

“As a member of the public, I believe in loyalty to the constitution such as to the king, the nation and the country. I agree with Tun Dr Mahathir that government leaders and YBs ( elected representatives) come and go as they will not stay forever. Thus, I personal feel it is the right thing for the government of the day to come up with the right definition of loyalty among the civil servants,” he stated when commenting on Dr Mahathir’s speech at a town hall session to 3,500 administrative and diplomatic officers ( PTD) at Putrajaya on Wednesday.

Chai further said leaders in the government have the same responsibilities as the civil servants, which is to serve the people and the country.

“It is the duty of the government to set the best policy for the country and the people. People would suffer if the leaders in the government run the administration of the country in an improper way and the civil servants who blindly support their leaders will make the situation worse.”

He said the wrong concept of loyalty has been among civil servants for many years.

“I believe there is a tough challenge ahead to change the wrong concept of loyalty in the civil service. It is because this problem has now grown its roots and this wrong concept of mindset must be changed not only at the top level but also to the end of the roots in the civil service sector.”