You are here to serve the people, civil servants told

PUTRAJAYA: Civil servants are put in positions to serve the public and the country and not meant to make their family, friends and even themselves wealthy, warned the Prime Minister.

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said as administrators, civil servants were in a position to see to it that there was development in the country and that progress could be felt and enjoyed by the people.

“The authority is meant for us to administer Malaysia to the best of our ability. It is not meant to make ourselves, our family or friends rich,” he told staff at the Prime Minister’s Department during its monthly assembly here yesterday.

The civil service, he said, should be made up of individuals who were hardworking, driven, dedicated, sincere, honest and disciplined.

Any deviation from these values, he said, would result in “us being the victims ourselves”.

“We would see the country regressing,” Dr Mahathir said.

“We will not achieve the success that we dream of,” he said.

Dr Mahathir said the opening of Putrajaya as the federal administrative capital was a testimony of hard work and dedication, as well as the pride and satisfaction in achieving a dream.

“Who would have thought that this oil palm estate is not only the pride of the nation but has also impressed the world?”

This was the second time the assembly was held since the 14th General Election, which saw the full attendance of the ministers and deputies in the department after their swearing-in last Monday.

Who would have thought that this oil palm estate is not only the pride of the nation but has also impressed the world? Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad