The Reformasi journey has reached the heart of Putrajaya, as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim addressed a large group of personnel from his office.
Speaking in a calm, measured tone and sporting a smart casual look – netizens were quick to note he was not wearing a tie – Anwar appeared to be trying to win their confidence in achieving a rules-based civil service with integrity.
Speaking off the cuff, he invited and appealed to the staff to join him in embarking on a journey of reformasi, islah (reforms) and perubahan (change). The prepared text from the chief secretary, he noted, contained the word reformasi several times.
Power, he believed, should be used to benefit the people and not to enrich a few cronies. Family members should not be allowed to benefit from government contracts. Citing the management weaknesses in MAS, the national airlines, Anwar said the losses led to suffering among the staff.
It cannot be business as usual; there must be change – starting from the top, he said. But the new PM assured his staff he was not interested in raking up wrongdoings from the past. It was more important to look ahead, he said.
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“So, rules. The question of procurement, approvals without tender – we cannot have all this anymore. This country cannot continue to allow ‘leakages’ and corruption (kebocoran, ketirisan dan rasuah) – we cannot allow this anymore. And this must apply at all levels.”
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
Good to have clear parameters up front n walk d talk. Old habits die hard but checks n balances must be in place to ensure d new modus operandi is adhered to. Anwar must set d directions, without fear or favour. No exceptions.
For once it was nice and heartening to hear a new PM saying his reform approach out loud to civil servants in his first public address to them in the calm and professional way & direct to the point in a measured way. May the top civil servant group play their part to achieve good governance . May God bless this govt