Education Minister Mahdzir Khalid was merely giving “fatherly” advice to civil servants to use their discretion when commenting on the government, the minister’s media and communications office said.

“I would like to stress that what Mahdzir said as the education minister was merely fatherly advice given to his children, and not what was reported.

“He merely advised the people, specifically civil servants, to use their ‘wisdom’ in making decisions when making statements about the government because they are under the service of the government for the sake of the rakyat.

“Any statements made may undermine their position in the public sector.

“Therefore, he merely advised not to make statements which negatively affect their future. It was not like what was reported,” Mahdzir’s media and communications office said in a series of tweets last night.

A Chinese daily yesterday reported that Mahdzir told teachers and Education Ministry officials who hold office in opposition parties to quit their jobs.

However, a separate report by Bernama has the education minister taking a softer stance on the matter.

Bernama reported that Mahdzir said teachers need only put a buffer between their careers and political ideologies, and that they need to be mindful of civil service rules when politicking.

“Although there are some educators who support opposition political parties, they need to ‘fine tune’ and put a ‘buffer zone’ between their careers and political ideology so as not the highlight the character of haters and anti-government elements,” the minister reportedly said.

However, the report by Kwong Wah Jit Poh quoted Mahdzir as saying that civil servants should resign and use their parties' capacity to speak or even contest in the general election if they want to go against the government.

“We do not allow them to work in government agencies while joining the opposition and even holding party positions.

“However, it is acceptable for them to join the ruling parties and hold party positions,” he reportedly said.

In response, Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan president Mohamed Arshad Raji (photo) said that while the context of that statement was unknown, it was improper for a minister to tell civil servants who criticise the government to quit their jobs.

Criticism is not necessarily a bad thing, Mohamed Arshad reminded politicians.

“If criticism is valid and for the good of the nation, then the critics are merely doing their patriotic duty.

“On the other hand, if civil servants know of a wrong being committed and keep quiet about it, then they are also legally and morally wrong,” he said in a statement today.

The minister, as the superior of the civil servants, should take constructive criticisms positively, evaluate the points of contention and communicate effectively on why decisions are made, he said.

Mohamed Arshad also reminded the government that public service regulations do not allow civil servants to hold active positions or office-bearer positions in political parties.

“We would like to think that it is a joke for Mahdzir to say that it is acceptable for civil servants to hold active positions in ruling political parties but not in opposition parties,” he said.