LETTER | The low representation of Chinese Malaysians in the civil service is a cause for concern.
The government must take proactive measures to encourage greater participation from young Chinese Malaysians in national administration, ensuring governance reflects the voice of all citizens.
Few applicants, but highest interview success rates
According to the data from the Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS), as of Dec 31, 2024, Malaysia had 1,302,429 civil servants (excluding the Royal Malaysia Police and armed forces), with only 5.4 percent being Chinese Malaysians.
In the 2024 and 2025 intake for administrative and diplomatic officers, only one of over 120 recruits was Chinese Malaysian, despite around 1,000 Chinese Malaysians applying. In comparison, over 90,000 Malays applied, 4,000 for Indians and Sabahans, while 3,000 Sarawakians and other ethnic groups applied.
Despite the low application numbers for Chinese Malaysians, the interview success rate for this group stood at 85 percent, the highest among all groups, demonstrating their capability to perform in civil service roles.
Diversity strengthens policies and social unity
Civil servants are key to implementing government policies. A civil service with diverse representation ensures decisions reflect the interests of all communities.
Increasing Chinese Malaysian representation will strengthen community ties and promote governance cohesion. Chinese Malaysian participation at all levels is crucial for inclusive policy development.
While some believe contributing to national development requires political elections, the real drivers of policy are administrative institutions. The Chinese Malaysian community must not be absent from this leadership structure.
Breaking stereotypes
The recent armed forces’ promotion of Johnny Lim from major general to lieutenant general, the first Chinese Malaysian three-star general in Malaysia's history, highlights how merit and service drive promotions. This milestone should inspire all ethnic groups to participate in public service.
Public service is a valuable career for young Chinese Malaysians. The government should use this success story to raise awareness, showing that careers in government, police, or military are open platforms where individuals can thrive regardless of their ethnic roots.
The civil service offers opportunities for cross-departmental rotations and diverse training, allowing officers to gain broad experience and enjoy stable career paths with strong benefits.
As prime minister’s political secretary Chan Ming Kai has stated, the government must do more to encourage Chinese Malaysian participation in the public sector. Given the high success rate of Chinese Malaysian applicants, outreach efforts such as school talks, targeted training, scholarships, and internships should be expanded.
The government should regularly publish HRMIS data on applications and intake across ethnic groups, set diversity targets, and strengthen performance standards to ensure equal opportunities for career advancement.
Chinese Malaysians are fully capable of serving the nation in the civil service. A diverse civil service brings new perspectives, creating stronger connections between the public and private sectors.
The government must work to bridge the gap between Chinese Malaysian youth and public administration, allowing more talent to contribute to national progress.
LAWRENCE LOW is MCA vice-president and MCA Economic and SME Affairs Committee chairperson.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
