Improve professionalism in civil service

I HAVE been trying to contact a certain person in a government department for some time now. Despite my many attempts, he is always away or is unable to meet me. The matter which I want to settle with him remains outstanding and the slowness of the department in dealing with it is also frustrating.

But that’s the way government departments work, people would say. As we are now known as Malaysia Baharu, the way government departments work needs to change.

For starters, the attitude of staff manning the counter in government departments needs to change. I have often seen their rough and unprofessional manner when dealing with the public, especially the elderly and poor. These civil servants behave as if they are demigods with so much authority, making it challenging for members of the public to even ask for forms.

This has led to middlemen being hired to obtain and submit applications on behalf of the people, especially the poor.

I have also seen government staff in uniform bullying people in public. In fact, I myself have been a victim. The normal practice of these persons in uniform is to ask “IC mana (Where’s your IC)?”

This has led to imposters preying on innocent people and extorting money. A private contractor wear- ing a T-shirt with a government logo once asked me for my identity card.

After 61 years of independence, it’s time we reviewed the performance of government departments. Many years ago, letters from government departments carried the following words “Bersih, Cekap dan Amanah”. It is our hope that the civil service will reach a level of professionalism, integrity and accountability that meets the expectations of the rakyat.