Anwar urges civil servants to work towards positive changes for the country

PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on all civil servants to work alongside his administration to bring positive changes that would benefit the people and the country.

Having had previous experience working in various ministries, the Prime Minister said he had benefitted from the views and ideas brought forward by civil servants.

The Prime Minister said he will also advise his soon-to-be-appointed Cabinet members to forge good working relations with civil servants.

"I know many are waiting to know (who will become ministers).

"I will be sure to remind them to respect the process," he said on Tuesday (Nov 29).

Anwar was addressing staff of the Prime Minister's Department, his first meeting with them since his appointment as Prime Minister.

Anwar took oath of office on Nov 24.

The Prime Minister wants civil servants to work towards improving services and make positive changes that would benefit the people and the country.

"I hope this will be a new beginning. The country needs to undergo changes.

"We have made many accomplishments before but now we are facing decline, in terms of economy, stability and discipline.

"There are also issues such as misappropriation, corruption and in some cases it involves leadership and civil servants," he added.

Anwar said that things must now change so that he need not worry about issues of discipline among civil servants.

"If there were negligence and violations, this should be in the past and I do not want to bring this up.

"But I do hope civil servants will practice a high level of discipline and respect the law," he added.

Anwar said his stand on using power to benefit the people had always been consistent.

"I would like to take this opportunity to ask all of you to come together to bring good changes to the country," he said.