I write this ad nauseam because I have brought this up numerous times with little impact. Time and again, we hear senior politicians as well as their irrelevant minions making silly comments like the non-Malays being disinterested in the civil service because its remuneration is unattractive. Some even seem to indirectly suggest that non-Malays are not patriotic enough to join the police and defence forces.

Nothing can be more insulting to the Indians. Traditionally, it has been every Indian’s dream to join the government service. Instead of taking the bull by its horns and investigating why so few Indians or non-Malays are in the service, politicians and civil servants keep harping on the notion that non-Malays are disinterested. It is true that some politicians have been passionate about encouraging non-Malays to join the services, but often it is the civil service that throws the spanner in the works.

The real enemy here is the civil service itself, not the politicians who can only depend on civil servants to implement their vision. The homogenous nature of the workforce itself is a major factor for the poor recruitment of non-Malays. Almost every potential applicant has a relative or a friend in the selection board and it is anyone’s guess as to what results from this.

It is therefore timely for S Samy Vellu to question the Public Services Department. Making disparaging and often patronising remarks about non-Malays being disinterested in the civil service is really hitting Indians below the belt. A responsible government will analyse reasons for such a “disinterest” and take bold measures to ensure a balanced composition that will result in a more efficient and friendly civil service. A homogenous workforce poses problems during Hari Raya. It is a pity that nurses and policemen have to be on duty during festive occasions when they should be celebrating with their families.

A multicultural workforce in essential services would have easily taken care of this problem. Why can’t we have the foresight to use the strengths of our multi-ethnic society? The task at hand for the executive is to ensure that the higher echelons of civil service carries out their commands. I have often noted with amusement how senior civil servants manipulate, disrespect and even defy their political masters. We see our very own version of “Yes, Minister” in our corridors of power.

To illustrate how deep the passion for civil service in the veins of Indians is, I would like to quote my grandmother’s words “It is alright even if you can only become a cowherd but make sure the cows belong to the government.”