Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi seems to have the people's welfare at heart. He has time and again made impassioned calls to government agencies to become more pro-active in tackling problems referred to them by the people.

Whilst his concern is much appreciated, the same cannot be said for the government agencies.

Abdullah recently held a discussion with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and has given them assurance that they will have a say on amendments to the law governing sexual violence before they are tabled in parliament.

This, hopefully, is not a case of lip service by Abdullah or an offering of words of comfort by him to win the support of NGOs. What is important is for the prime minister to create a communication channel between the NGOs and government agencies.

Government officers should stop regarding NGOs as troublemakers and should instead see them as an important resource point in working together to tackle various social issues. There has to be a transparency in communication, with no place for fear or favour.

Abdullah's words of assurance will remain mere rhetoric if the mentality of the government servants and officers does not improve. Instructions must be carried out with a serious intent and not merely to camouflage the real issues at hand.

Let us please work together at getting rid of the 'third-class mentality label' 'bestowed' upon Malaysians. Only then can we, dear prime minister, proclaim to be a nation that is Gemilang, Cemerlang dan Terbilang .