CSR = Civil Service Reform

The Malaysian Civil Service needs urgent reform.

The Administration's misguided Machiavellian use of it as a social net for incompetent Malaysians and, ultimately, as a vote-producing propaganda engine can no longer be tolerated. Firstly, Malaysians are being encouraged toward mediocrity by the promise of a safe job-haven where performance and ability do not matter. Secondly, the deterioration of the Civil Service, long a bulwark against corrupt politicians, allows and facilitates the misuse and extraction of public money. Thirdly, using the Civil Service as a mini-welfare state by providing income to employees for minimal return cannot be sustained. The Civil Service needs to be downsized and upskilled to (a) reduce costs, (b) minimise leakages and (c) motivate Malaysians and improve their sense of self-worth and self-pride.

The decline of the Civil Service, if left further unchecked, will also see a knock-on impact to the Malaysian economy and the development of the country. The Civil Service is responsible for the efficient running of many aspects of Malaysian life including education, security, health, foreign relations and macroeconomic management. The national fabric is fraying at the edges as the nation develops - communal tensions, health scares and security lapses can all be directly linked to the weakness of the Civil Service.

A key step that needs to be taken is a top-down, bottom-up review of the Civil Service - from functionalities, scope and manpower. Downsizing and upskilling will have to be the order of the day.

Independence, accountability and transparency will also have to be put in place.

[apologies for the waffly nature of this piece - more thought needs to be given than I am currently capable at the moment - had a late night - this is just a placeholder to remind me to come back to this topic]