“Ours is a democratic country and this is what the people have decided. Thus, civil servants must accept the change,” said Chief Secretary to the Government, Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Bakar. He stated that changes will be made within the government machinery to avoid any deceit by civil servants and displeasure from the people.
“If we don’t give our best, the people will be angry. Don’t let one bad apple spoil the barrel,” he told a gathering of Perak civil servants at the hall of the State Secretariat Building on Thursday, September 20. Perak was the first state he visited after assuming the appointment.
The first change is the way civil servants sign off letters. The inscription, “Saya yang menurut perintah” (I who obey orders) presently used in official correspondences will be replaced with “Saya yang menjalankan amanah” (I who carry out the trust) effective September 20.
Dr Ismail Bakar said that the move was in line with the government’s requirement that every civil servant should now consider orders and assignments given as a trust that must be fulfilled as best as possible.
Menteri Besar, Ahmad Faizal Azumu and State Secretary, Dato’ Haji Mohd. Gazali bin Jalal were in attendance.
The new inscription, said the Menteri Besar, indicates how civil servants handle their job which is based on trust and responsibility. The former signifies blind loyalty to superiors.
According to the State Secretary there are 85,710 civil servants in the state, most of whom are teachers and members of the security forces. Out of the 13,505 state civil servants, 12,752 are on a permanent basis while 753 are contract staff.
Qistina Izfarina
