PKR Youth chief Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin today took a strong stance against reducing the size of civil service.

In his policy speech at the wing's national congress in Johor, he said statements by Pakatan Rakyat leaders on this contravene discipline.

"Pakatan Rakyat must have strong discipline...views must be made in a measured way as to not affect other segments of Pakatan.

"Among the issues which had adversely affected Pakatan is the suggeston to shrink the civil service. This is absolutely unrealistic," Shamsul ( right ) said.

NONE He was referring to a statement by DAP publicity chief and Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua, which had invited a backlash, particularly from Malay groups.

The community makes up the bulk of the bureaucracy.

While Shamsul supports reducing the size of government, he said the way out is to reduce political appointments to government.

This included trimming the number of ministries, which is not proportionate to the size of the population.

"We must pay attention to the real issues and put forward suggestions which do not leave space for manipulation by the BN media," Shamsul said before an audience of around 500 delegates and observers.

Speaking to the media later, he said Pua's statement was "disconcerting" ( membuat rasa tak senang ) also because it was never discussed at Pakatan meetings.

'Shahrizat should be ashamed'

Meanwhile, at the women's wing proceedings, Wanita chief Zuraida Kamaruddin wanted the Women and Community Development Ministry to be placed under the Prime Minister's Department.

This is despite the fact that the department has several ministers under its jurisdiction. She argued that it would provide "focus" for important social issues affecting that section of society.

In her policy speech, Zuraida said cabinet minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil should resign over the National Feedlot Corporation controversy involving her family.

NONE Zuraida, ( right) who is also Ampang MP, said the women, family and community development minister and Wanita Umno chief "should be ashamed".

"We uphold the culture of respect for women and a woman should first respect herself, starting with Shahrizat," she told the press later.

The Youth and Wanita wings are hosting their eigth national congress at Pulai Springs Resort in Johor.

About 1,500 delegates and observers were present today, ahead of the congress proper which will take place over the weekend.

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