The prime minister is now reminding himself, other ministers and the welcoming parties to reduce protocols during official visits in line with government austerity drive. In my life time, I have heard of austerity drive many times.
Seriously, why would our PM say something so mundane – reduce protocols to save money?
Look, frugality and austerity should be our way of life, not when we are hard pressed for money.
Instead of talking about reduced protocol, we should have been talking about national ethos. We should have been inculcating work culture and professionalism that is lean and mean a long time ago. Why spend mindlessly only to be followed by austerity drive?
When a society is “feudalistic” and when leaders indulge in self-importance and positions, yearning for pomp and protocol is a natural development. Red carpets and elaborate receptions have become automatic.
In fact, from my observations, the civil service has spent the bulk of its time and resources just to indulge in pomp and grandeur. Real work is secondary.
If leaders really wish to know what is happening on the ground, there is no need to announce their visits. Just visit incognito and the true picture will present itself.
Why do leaders need official briefing? Direct feedbacks from the rakyat are the best briefing they can get.
We have attained independence for more than half a century and yet we are still unable to get rid of suits and ties despite our hot humid tropical climate. Have we seen the dress codes of Singapore MPs in Parliament? It is open collar shirts for men.
To me, a reminder to reduce protocol is way behind time. Those spending too much time and resources on protocol should have been kicked in their butts a long time ago.
Similarly, why keep reminding ministers and government servants to be prudent? Just do the budgeting properly, frugality will take care of itself.
As prime minister, he shouldn’t be talking the obvious and mundane things anymore. These are the jobs of his down lines. Prime minister should provide new inspirations and open new frontiers for the country.
We heard that Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has incurred many violations when trying to do great things for this country. To me it is not important to harp on it anymore.
I would very much prefer to hear from our current PM the earth shattering ideas he got for this country going forward. – February 11, 2016.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.
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