Politicians shouldn’t hijack civil service – N. Pillay

After reading two recent articles in your Side Views section – The smart ones don't belong in the government service by Al Khattab and On Malaysia's Civil Service by Sulaiman Yahya – with regards to the quality of government service, I can't help but feel utterly disappointed.

I spent more than three decades, went through rank and file in the civil service, and I took pride in every single moment till my retirement 10 years ago.

The government service not only provided me a good career then, but also played a big role in my life.

With my wife a homemaker, my hard earned salary helped me to put food on the table and successfully raise four children. Two of them now are professionals working overseas, one is running a legal firm in KL, while my youngest followed my footstep and joined the civil service.

My daughter in the civil service has always been sharing her experiences, and to my dismay, it is not quite the same as mine. I mean, not as "fulfilling" as I used to experience it.

She told me a lot about the wasted talents, the near-absence of merit, and the lack of direction among the top management as their actions and decisions are "politically driven" rather than serving the people.

From what she told me, I conclude that public servants are no longer independent, but merely serving politicians, depending on the nature of their job. She told me that it is disappointing to the point that it can be demotivating, when certain actions cannot be carried out as the politicians have the last say.

What happened to the doctrine of the separation of powers?

Take note that civil servants are professionals and must have the qualifications to match their respective job. They're supposed to put the public's interest above anything, and if this is taken away from them, the system will fail.

If the professionals are not allowed to capitalise their talents and exercise their powers, the country will be in a mess, as we see today. They must be allowed to implement their ideas and plans independently, so as to keep them motivated and feel appreciated.

The rewards and recognition does not necessarily come in terms of money, but for those who are sincere in their work, it is the outcome that they want to see. At the end of the day, everyone wants to be proud of being part of a legacy – something you have achieved through your hard work. It is not just about the pension and gratuity.

For example, if the government department is supposed to eradicate poverty, the outcome is the percentage of poverty reduction that must be proved to the taxpayers, instead of showing the "process" (such as visiting the poor and handing them goodies), which is often hijacked by politicians for their own self-serving benefits.

Similarly, if the road accident is what the government agencies are dealing with, the outcome must be a significant reduction in the number of people killed. Otherwise, the agencies cannot be considered as performing. If developed countries can do it, why can't we?

My advice, the government must save its agencies from being tools of politicians for their personal gain. Besides, the reward system must be put on the agency itself that its KPI must be outcome-based.

Of course, for most of the staff, especially for junior levels, the "process" could be their KPI, but the same cannot be applied for top management as their KPI has to be outcome-based.

The top management must be accountable by proving the outcome: For example, the reduction in dengue cases, road accidents, crime rates, and improvement in university ranking, to name a few.

Furthermore, rewarding the non-performers, especially at the top posts, is the last thing that the public would like to see. What more if these people are politically-connected.

Last but not least, I believe that these outcomes can only be achieved if the civil service rewards talents and is stopped from being made a tool of politicians.

Otherwise, even the talented ones would fade in the government service and the smart ones would stay away from the service.

This is my sincere and humble opinion as I love the civil service. Now I understand why my two children are happy to be working and living abroad, and I also understand why my only child in the government service isn't as contented as I used to be during my time.

Please save the civil service and save the country too. – August 26, 2015.

* N. Pillay reads The Malaysian Insider.

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