CIVIL servants must be apolitical at all times. Whether they like it or not, five states in peninsular Malaysia have changed hands.

Lately, there have been reports about civil servants not being co-operative with the newly-elected state governments.

They must learn to work together for the betterment of the people and the state and should not let their own personal political beliefs get in the way in the performance of their official duties.

In any general election, governments may change whereas the civil servants stay put. The newly elected state government would demand and expect no less than full co-operation and loyalty from them. Though serving a different political master, everything else remains the same, so there is no reason for any disdain towards their new boss.

If at all some do feel awkward and uneasy about working for the new state government, then by all means do the honourable thing and resign or seek a transfer out.

Please do not hang around just to sabotage the smooth running of the new administration.

Source: NST – May 9, 2008