Dr M: Be loyal to country, not to 'past leader or party'
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has reminded civil servants to be loyal to the country, and not to any past leader or political party that have damaged the country's reputation.
Speaking at a monthly assembly at the Prime Minister's Department in Putrajaya this morning, Mahathir noted that in the past, some civil servants had placed allegiance to certain leaders ahead of loyalty to the country.
"If the country is being well-governed, then it should receive loyalty from us (civil servants), but when misappropriation occurs, the priority should be (loyalty) to the country...
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has reminded civil servants to be loyal to the country, and not to any past leader or political party that has damaged the country's reputation.
Speaking at a monthly assembly at the Prime Minister's Department in Putrajaya this morning, Mahathir noted that in the past, some civil servants had placed allegiance to certain leaders ahead of loyalty to the country.
"If the country is being well-governed, then it should receive loyalty from us (civil servants), but when misappropriation occurs, the priority should be (loyalty) to the country, instead of a particular party, leader, or ideology.
"This is what we should remember so that the country remains peaceful and we can build it in our best interests.
"Leaders are important, but more important is the country," he said, without referring to any names in particular.
Shifting allegiances
Mahathir cautioned that civil servants run the risk of becoming victims themselves if they are blindly loyal to past leaders, and suggested that they could instead shift their allegiance to an administration that works for the country.
"The people chose to change the government, and of course the sense of unhappiness and uncertainty will arise because we have given allegiance to one particular group for 61 years.
"But now, we need to give our loyalty to the government that comprises the enemies of the past government.
"We can give our loyalty to the people or the political party for the time being if they fulfil the needs of the country," he added.
In October last year, Bersatu supreme council member A Kadir Jasin said that the Harapan government risked being sabotaged by civil servants, as well as by its own leaders.
Harapan is seen as facing a growing trust deficit, exacerbated by the recent controversy over its leaders' academic certificates and events surrounding its loss in the Cameron Highlands by-election.
Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, who has reinvented himself as a humorous government critic, also appears to pose a threat to the Harapan administration.
