LETTER | The Public Services Commission said the method of recruitment of officers into civil service is based on the merit and competence of candidates.
As for Indians, the community make up just 3.7 percent of civil servants, while they are composed of almost seven percent of Malaysia's demographic.
Currently, Indians are inadequately represented in the civil service. It is the government's responsibility to empower its disadvantaged citizens.
Indians have helped build and shape our nation, their legacy etched in the fabric of Malaysia’s growth and development.
As such, the government should increase the intake of Indians into the civil service to reflect the population.
What the government can do is to give discretion to the intake process. Deserving Indians and Chinese should be given places in government service.
Help those disadvantaged
Applying the additional criteria of the quota system for Indian recruitment would provide a solution.
And, considering the overwhelming dominance of Malays in the current civil service, the quota system for Indians (and non-bumiputera) should be applied to help those especially from poor backgrounds.
The government should also find ways of attracting more Indians and Chinese into the civil service.
Apart from the Public Service Commission, other agencies authorised to hire for civil service positions like the Education Service Commission, Judicial and Legal Service Commission, Police Force Commission, Armed Forces Council, state Civil Service Commissions, statutory authorities and local authorities must do the same.
The writer has served the government in various ministries and agencies for 30 years.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.