CIVIL servants must be apolitical at all times. Whether they like it or not, five states in Peninsular Malaysia are now in opposition hands.

Lately, there have been reports about civil servants not cooperating 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 personal political beliefs get in the way of the performance of their official duties.

In any general election, governments may change according to the wishes of the people, but the civil servants stay put. The newly elected state government would demand and expect no less than their full cooperation and loyalty.

Though serving a different political master, everything else remains the same, so there is no reason for any of them to show disdain towards their new boss. If at all, some 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. Please do not hang around just to sabotage the smooth running of the new administration. This is tantamount to treason.

Michael Ng
Seremban

Source: The Sun – May 14, 2008