The general public has been reading for a while now about, for example, the lawlessness in Johor, the recent floods in Kuala Lumpur, etc. The cabinet subsequently meets and directs the departments concerned to take action. Some people get transferred in the process.

There are a few things here that I do not understand and that is how the chain of command works or is supposed to work. Perhaps the prime minister, the cabinet and the relevant agencies concerned could explain how the system works.

For example, there is lack of law enforcement in JB. Hence the high rate of crimes. The general public pays a heavy price. Why the cabinet has to direct the police force to take action? Is it not the function of the police under existing laws to fight crime? Why are the police waiting for a cabinet directive before taking action?

Can the police and the cabinet kindly explain why both behave the way they do. Has the cabinet taken over the functions of heads of departments and enforcement agencies? Why aren't the respective ministers holding the heads departments responsible, answerable and accountable for lack of enforcement that causes the public suffer?

For example, why didn't the PM, who is also the internal security minister in charge of the police, hold the inspector-general of police accountable for the lack of policing and the IGP in turn hold his subordinates in JB answerable?

The same can be said about every other agency, for example, the PWD.

Let me come to the second point here, which is foolish and comical to contemplate. For example, some cops from JB were transferred out for lack of performance, etc. Can the chief secretary to the government clarify if the regulations governing discipline of civil servants were amended to include these 'transfers' for inefficiency, corruption and you name it?

It is silly for civil servants to be transferred without any form of punishment to another place where he or she will continue to behave the same way at the new station, knowing very well that the worst that can happen is another transfer allowance forthcoming! Is not the situation and current system in practice not absurd?