M Santhananaban
The grandest – and perhaps the most excessive – extravaganza staged for the 47th Asean summit in Kuala Lumpur has been marred by the misidentification of three key leaders from neighbouring countries by Malaysia’s public broadcaster. This is hugely embarrassing.
Radio Television Malaysia mistakenly identified Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong as his predecessor Lee Hsien Loong, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul as Srettha Thavisin, and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto as Joko Widodo during its live broadcast of the summit’s opening ceremony. All three incorrect names were those of the current leaders’ predecessors.
This reflects not just inefficiency but a deeper problem that appears to plague the entire civil service, where merit has not been consistently accorded the highest place it deserves.
Public service must be about prioritising competence, efficiency, integrity, impartiality, quality and loyalty to the country.
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It is not about orchestrated publicity of anti-corruption efforts, cosmetics, image or the politicising of recruitment and promotion prospects to suit the agenda of political leaders.
The nation must strive to be competitive with a more well-equipped, diversified and qualified public service.
Slogans are not enough. What matters is quality, success in the delivery of services, and a modern effective public service.
Dato’ M Santhananaban is a retired Malaysian ambassador with 45 years of public sector experience.
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
