‘Who Will Go, Who Has Been Ordered to Go? Wait and See’ – Zahid
PUTRAJAYA: Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has given an assurance that he will protect civil servants who carry out their duties professionally from any pressure following the current political clashes.
While hitting out at parties attempting to exert such pressure, Ahmad Zahid said civil servants must continue to carry out their responsibilities according to the rules and proper legal channels without mixing politics with administration.
“I also know that there are among you who may be called, facing pressure following these political clashes. But believe me, as long as I hold the trust as a minister, I give my assurance that every officer of the ministry will be protected by me.
“Continue to serve and carry out the responsibilities given according to the rules and proper legal channels.
“I will protect. I am professional in this matter. I want to follow the rules and proper legal channels. God willing. Who will go, who has been ordered to go, wait and see,” he said when speaking at the monthly assembly of the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) here today.
Ahmad Zahid however did not name the parties alleged to have pressured civil servants, but instead stressed that it was done by those holding high positions.
“(The pressure is) by the top chief up there, I do not know his name but understand this matter,” he said.
He said that current political developments, particularly after the Johor and Negeri Sembilan State Elections (PRN), may raise questions among civil servants regarding the stability of the Unity Government and the direction of the administration.
However, he stressed that political competition at the state level should not affect the administration at the Federal level to the point of Parliament being dissolved.
“The Unity Government today is formed based on a clear understanding and agreement for it to remain until Parliament is dissolved. So, as long as no dissolution occurs, the Federal Government will continue to function, the administration will continue and every trust to the people will be carried out as usual,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid said that civil servants need to be aware of political developments and understand the context that shapes government policies, but cannot be dragged into partisan politics.
He also stressed that there must be a clear dividing line between politics and administration, with the professionalism of civil servants ensuring that every task is carried out with integrity for the country and the people.
“In the states, we can have differences of opinion. But when we carry out the administration at the Central level, we must have no differences.
“Instead, we must be of one mind, one feeling and one purpose to determine that the people must be prioritised in carrying out government affairs at the Central level.
“Government affairs cannot stop just because the political temperature rises,” he said.
Astro Awani