Civil service is a system funded by public funds, hence the standard of accountability towards the public is at the very maximum
by AFIQ AZIZ / graphic by MZUKRI MOHAMAD
THE civil service should not be disrupted by any political interference to ensure the best form of governance, said Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
Mohamad, or commonly known as Tok Mat, added that the services are the responsibility of civil servants and thus, other forces like political power should not be getting in their way.
“Ideally, there should be no political interference in the matters of civil operations.
“However, the policies implemented must be those formulated by the Cabinet and meet the aspirations of a democratically elected government,” he said on his Twitter account yesterday.
The statement came three days after the former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador, in his final presser, alleged that Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin had interfered in the Police Force Commission (SPP).
Abdul Hamid said such a move is not good for the police force and a minister should not interfere in its management.
He further said the commission should not be chaired by a minister in order to prevent any political interference, referring to the arrangement of manpower in the police force which lies under the commission’s purview.
Legal experts and former IGPs have suggested that a law amendment is needed to allow non-minister to be appointed as the SPP chairman.
Abdul Hamid retired yesterday. He was succeeded by his deputy Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani.
Mohamad stressed that an independent public service is crucial in maintaining its professionalism, adding that without it, the professionalism of public service will be compromised.
A total separation of public service from political interference, he said, requires the highest degree of professionalism from both sides.
“A minister must be aware of his powers and limitations,” he added. On the other hand, civil servants must also be aware that their primary task is to implement policies and government aspirations with utmost professionalism and transparency.
Mohamad said this is of paramount, as public service can never escape public scrutiny.
“It is a system funded by public funds, hence the standard of accountability towards the public is at the very maximum.”
The former corporate man also said the gap in governance between the public and private sectors in Malaysia has increased.
The corporate sector governance, he said, has seen better improvement through a rigorous and active monitoring system.
“There is a lot of space in the government sector that can be improved. Efforts towards that must be enhanced so the civil service can be independent,” he added.
Meanwhile, Bernama reported Acryl Sani as saying that he wants the police force to continue to resolve the team’s unfinished business.
He also said being the IGP is a heavy task and one that could not be done alone.
“Being the IGP is a heavy task as if the burden is placed on both my shoulders. I believe I cannot shoulder this responsibility alone,” he said at a press conference after the handover ceremony of the IGP’s duties at Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur, yesterday.
Asked about Royal Malaysia Police’s (PDRM) direction under his leadership, Acryl Sani said it would be announced later.
“I will explain the focus of the PDRM at a special media session soon,” he said.
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