MCA has urged more from the Chinese community to join the civil service as a "form of patriotism".

Its Federal Territories publicity bureau chief Lau Chin Kok (below) said that the Chinese "should not miss the boat" and join the service to be the change they want to see in the government.

"As civil servants, we are representing the nation, and shoulder the sacred responsibility to serve the nation and people.

"We used to hear of lack of professionalism and laziness in government offices, so joining them would be a good option to make the necessary corrections from within," he said in a statement.

He added that this could also help eliminate "little Napoleons" in government, like the Pahang Education Department official who contradicting policy by disallowing SM Chong Hwa, Kuantan from teaching the United Examination Certificate syllabus.

Further, he said, the Chinese applicants have a higher rate of being accepted into the service.

Of the 27,044 Chinese applicants last August, 54.78 percent were accepted – the highest among all races.

He also said that remuneration and benefits for civil servants are fairly competitive while the Public Service Department has pledged equal treatment for all applicants.

"So, the Chinese should wait no more," he said.

Yesterday, PKR Youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said that it is an accepted fact that non-Malays are discriminated against in the civil service, while non-Chinese face the same in the private sector.

He said this while calling for a fair treatment policy to combat discrimination in the employment market.

Malays make up the largest ethnic group in the civil service.