PM: Govt not looking to reform civil service

KUALA LUMPUR: The government is not considering any call for reforms to address the “Malay domination” of the civil service as it views the matter as a non-issue, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“We have not opened channels for us to consider (the call) because I do not think it is a problem now,” he told reporters after launching the Housewives Social Security Scheme (SKSSR) and MYFutureJobs 2023 Career Carnival at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) yesterday.

On Friday, Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy called on the government to reform the civil service to make it more multiracial and merit-driven.

In a Facebook post, he also urged the Prime Minister to immediately deal with the issue and ensure that the public service reflects the ethnic composition of the country.

According to Anwar, the proposal was only Ramasamy’s personal opinion and did not reflect that of DAP or the government.

“We should not stop people from speaking or giving opinions. He can give his views, but they will have no bearing on DAP or the government’s decision,” he told Bernama.

Ramasamy’s counterparts in Pakatan Harapan criticised him roundly, with Hulu Langat MP Mohd Sany Hamzan saying the former wanted to appear a hero again with “cheap publicity”.

“This kind of action certainly puts Pakatan in a difficult position. Statements such as these are also not in line with the Malaysia Madani concept, and are in fact an act of sabotage,” he said, adding that such words should not have been uttered in the first place.

“Suitable action would be removing him as there are other candidates who are also qualified to be deputy chief minister of Penang,” said Mohd Sany.

Former Simpang Renggam MP Dr Maszlee Malik had similar sentiments.

“(Ramasamy is the) biggest liability to the unity government. The DAP should do something to discipline him before it’s too late,” tweeted the former education minister yesterday.