Transferring the problem, not solving it
A few years ago, an officer from a statutory body was reassigned to the interior. Following the appointment of a new mayor, he was transferred back to the department and promoted to a senior position. Subsequently, he was bestowed the title of Datuk.
Below is a Daily Express article dated April 17, 2016 that may be relevant, accompanied by my comments.
Article:
PUBLIC Service Department director-general Tan Sri Mohd Zabidi Zainal has publicly announced that 50 civil servants holding “sensitive posts” will be transferred within a week. He also said this exercise would be “ongoing”. I wonder why the haste and how many more will be transferred out. Has the problem of sensitivity and corruption in the civil service suddenly become very serious? Is there now a kind of crisis about this stagnancy of officers in sensitive posts and making money?
My thoughts:
Article:
This drastic exercise also begs the question as to whether the person or the post is the sensitive problem.
If it’s the person and he/she is performing badly or dishonestly, he or she could be dealt with under the Government’s disciplinary rules or General Orders.
If the problem is the sensitive post, then for the sake of good governance, please desensitise the post.
Introduce tighter procedures so that so-called little Napoleons do not find loopholes to exploit for their personal gain.
But who are the little Napoleons? They are those recalcitrant officers who specialise in abusing their authority for personal pomp, power and greed. Apparently, there is a growing number of them in the political and administrative arena now.
How else do we account for our worsening position in the international Transparency Corruption Perception Index?
My thoughts:
This word Little Napoleon was coined by our former prime minister, Tun Abdullah Badawi. Now these Little Napoleons are heads of department. LINK
Article:
However, the problem common to both the cases of sensitive posts as well as sensitive persons is abuse of power.
It could easily be corruption too. Broadly defined, corruption is the exploitation of public office or posts for personal gain or unfair benefits. Most Malaysians are aware of these problems but now appear helpless to do much about them!
My thoughts:
Article:
Nevertheless, in either case, if the abuse of power or corruption or both are involved, will the mere transfer of the sensitive officials or little Napoleons solve the problems?
Actually, we may perpetuate the problems and even inadvertently reward the errant officials by allowing them to practise their fine art of misconduct and devious manipulation of the system in their new posts.
So, what is the solution to the abuse of sensitive posts? Simply put, like in the business world, staff found to be suspect should be speedily identified, counselled and guided to the straight and narrow path.
But if the errant officer continues with his wayward ways, he should be sacked or reported to the police. If the present rules, regulations and laws do not allow for stiff disciplinary action to be taken, then please change the laws.
My thoughts:
Report to the police? I have reported it to SPRM and they have not taken any action.
Article:
Our country and taxpayers are losing out on our diminishing capacity and patience to tolerate, afford and, sadly, support these abusers of public funds. Why should we coddle the minority of dishonest public servants at the expense of the majority of dutiful ones who practice integrity and reject corruption?
The transfer of officers indicates that something is badly wrong with the civil service. It also shows that we are going for quick fixes, which definitely are not sufficient.
There has to be reform in the civil service or these problems will go on forever, hence the following recommendations are seriously proposed for the Government to consider and to implement as soon as possible.
My thoughts:
The civil service is deeply flawed. Reported in 2016, the issue has only worsened by 2025, growing significantly in scale.
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