PM: SEVERAL UMNO LEADERS ‘LIVING BEYOND THEIR MEANS’

PUTRAJAYA: The government is improving the promotion process for government officers, especially those in the top management.

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday said a new method that was transparent and stressed integrity would be introduced.

“This will reduce any form of dissatisfaction. This process also involves ministers.

“If they disagree or want to protest (any promotion), they must state their reasons. It is not only because one likes or dislikes a person,” he said after chairing a Special Cabinet Committee on Anti-Corruption meeting.

For this, the committee agreed to introduce the Public Services Act.

Dr Mahathir said the committee agreed with the Foreign Ministry’s request not to fill ambassador posts with political appointees.

“There will be no political appointments for those who have retired to (become) ambassadors. We will not allow it.

“This is a strong action against ourselves because there are many members of the government party who want to enjoy life as an ambassador.”

For existing politically appointed ambassadors, Dr Mahathir said they would be called back and their service terminated.

Asked if the decision would affect DAP chairman Tan Kok Wai, who is special envoy to China, Dr Mahathir said it would not because Tan’s role was not the same as an ambassador’s.

“He is based in Malaysia and only goes there to do work.”