Stop using civil servants as political weapons

UNIFORMED personnel, enforcement officers, and other civil servants must never be manipulated by any party as political weapons.

While civil servants are duty-bound to serve the government of the day, this does not give those in power the right to exploit them for political advantage. Civil servants are also expected to uphold neutrality and professionalism at all times, with their actions guided strictly by the rule of law.

Recent developments have led to growing public speculation about the Madani government, particularly regarding matters involving the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

MCA has always been at the forefront in supporting MACC in its fight against corruption, abuse of power, and all forms of criminal wrongdoing.

However, these efforts must be carried out with transparency and fairness.

Investigations must never be conducted selectively, nor should they create the perception of political targeting.

The statement issued by James Chai, a well-educated young man who claims he has been targeted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, should serve as a wake-up call.

Chai alleges that he is being pursued by the MACC because of his association with former economy minister Datuk Seri Mohd Rafizi Ramli, with whom he previously worked. As is widely known, Rafizi is now politically at odds with Anwar Ibrahim.

Such allegations inevitably raise troubling questions about whether the MACC is being used as a tool to target Rafizi and those associated with him. If this perception is allowed to grow, it will severely undermine public confidence in our institutions and bring embarrassment to the country.

MCA therefore calls on the authorities to ensure that all investigations are conducted with full transparency and in strict accordance with due process, while respecting the rights and dignity of all parties involved. The public must be assured that state institutions will never be used as instruments to intimidate individuals for the political interests of a few.

DATUK LAWRENCE LOW

MCA Vice-President