IT is our fervent hope that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, our 10th prime minister, will put to an immediate stop the practice of extending for a one- or two-year term the services of senior civil service, police, military, and other government officers upon their retirement.
This policy or practice denies chances of promotions for younger officers, who may have their own fresh and new ideas of improvement and can bring in positive changes to their departments and agencies.
The practice has dampened the spirit of many a good public servant, police and military officer. Extending the service of a senior officer means that career prospects of many other officers all the way down the line will be hindered.
Those who are affected would most likely work dejectedly and without much motivation as they are stuck in their current positions, waiting until they themselves reach retirement age. This is a great waste of able manpower.
The whole government machinery must undergo change all the time. It needs to change so that it will be better able to serve the country and rakyat. But that cannot happen satisfactorily with this policy or practice in place because the “old” officer with his/her “old” ideas and way of doing things remains on top as the boss.
Finally, one could even go a little bit further by suggesting that the policy or practice of service extension be abolished for officers of “JUSA C” grade or its equivalent and above.
Only a reformist-minded prime minister in the form of PM10 can do this.
RAHMANPIN
Shah Alam
