Heroes among our public servants – Lim Wei Jiet

Before the 13th general election, Major Zaidi Ahmad faced the media to expose a serious flaw in the electoral system – the utter failure of the Election Commission’s indelible ink.

The air force pilot was later transferred and then unceremoniously dismissed by a Military Court.

In August 2015, at the height of the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) investigations, MACC director of special operations Datuk Bahri Mohamad Zin and its director of strategic communications Datuk Rohaizad Yaakob were transferred to the Prime Minister’s Department. No valid reason was given for such a sudden move at such a crucial point into the investigations involving the Prime Minister.

Earlier this year, we got to know that Baitulmal Professional Institute CEO Dr Syed Omar Syed Agil which is 70% owned by the Federal Territories Islamic Council (MAIWP), was suspended for reporting suspected mismanagement and criminal breach of trust within the Islamic college.

Very recently, judges that made decisions which can be perceived as unfavourable to the powers-that-be were transferred far away from the nexus of disputes – to put them in “cold storage”, as legal practitioners put it.

Is it only me, or are many Malaysians as equally outraged over this toxic trend of intimidation?

It is heartbreaking that in Malaysia, when a public servant does the right thing, he or she is either transferred, suspended or worst – sacked.

And these are only the very few examples highlighted in the media. Many public servants, at various points in service, have to make these difficult judgment calls – the immigration clerk that saw his superior accepting a bribe, the university lecturer who knows the department head pocketed half of the academic grants, the ministry officer who knows strings were pulled in the many tender awards.

I can only imagine how difficult it is to “do the right thing”, given the brutal treatment for speaking out in this toe-the-line system in Malaysia.

I don’t even know if I can blame public servants for turning a blind eye – given that the system cruelly forces you to choose between feeding your family & keeping your conscience and dignity intact.

But to those who stood up against the system, and paid the price however heavy in any way, I have this to say:

I won't know how betrayed you feel having dedicated years of tireless service to the nation only to be treated in this manner.

I won't know how humiliating it is for a junior to be promoted over you just because they sided with the status quo.

I won't know if, at these moments of darkness, you wished you were born in the UK, Australia or any other country where your brilliance and sense of fairness is awarded, not met with political retribution.

The least I can do is, on behalf of Malaysians, to thank you. Thank you for holding true to your oath and principles. Thank you for dispensing justice with a blindfold, uninfluenced by the repercussions that follow.

Thank you for reminding us that despite the pliant higher echelons, we can still count and trust on the many other good men and women in public service.

You may have been cast aside on paper or have less initials before your name. But in the hearts and minds of a whole lot of Malaysians, you are true heroes.

You know who you are; and we will remember you as so. – January 7, 2016.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.