KUCHING: The civil service in the state must be restructured to reflect the multi-racial character of the state’s population, said Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh.
The opposition politician said only a thorough restructuring would settle the question of racial bias in the service.
“A structured change to bring about a more representative civil service will help foster better inter-racial relationships as well as bring greater unity and greater sense of belonging among all communities in the state,” he said.
He said this in response to the recent suggestions by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi on how the state civil service should be structured or restructured to reflect Sarawak’s racial composition.
He stated that now that the two leaders of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government have voiced their concern of the structure of the civil service, what remains is the political will and wisdom to make things right for the good of Sarawak.
“We must know that public service is all powerful. Elected leaders come and go, but public service is there to stay. It affects every facet of society,” he said.
Wong pointed out that civil service covers all the ministries and their departments, statutory bodies and local councils and authorities.
He said, apart from its size in terms of its expenditure, this sector is powerful since it helps to formulate, interpret and implement policies which affect the everyday life of each and every member of society.
Wong explained that from the humble hawker who struggles to earn a living to officers and staff waiting for their promotion or transfer, their well-being is often placed at the mercy of the government machinery.
“Fair and just implementation is therefore critical. Any unreasonable decision would create discontent and dissatisfaction not just among those who are affected but also the communities concerned at large.
“We therefore must ensure that, in effecting changes in the civil service, selection and promotion must be based on merit, qualifications and service rather than any other criteria.
“This will, in turn, bring about better efficiency and a greater sense of job satisfaction.
“This would also dispel the conception or misconception among the non-Malays that there is little prospect for career development and their career upward pathway in the civil service,” he added.
In light of this, he emphasised that race should not be a factor in public service appointments and in promotion exercises.
“So long as a candidate is a Sarawakian and is qualified to do the job, he or she should be given an equitable chance to be selected for the job. After all, this is clearly guaranteed by the Constitution and we should all abide by these fundamental principles.
“The tasks of nation building are the shared responsibilities and should embrace all those whose loyalties are to Sarawak.
“There is no scarcity of talents and skills among all races in Sarawak. If some of those whose skills and talents are being excluded from the public service, then those human resources would be denied the chance to serve the country,” he said.
Nevertheless, the Bawang Assan Assemblyman said that PSB welcomed the concerns over the civil service expressed by Abang Johari and Nanta.
However, he said that words must be matched with deeds.
“Therefore, PSB would like to call for political and socio-economic programmes to be de-emphasised of ethnic interest.
“We must not be shackled by racial prejudice. We must open ourselves to a broader and more encompassing Sarawakian perspective rather than to get ourselves trapped in narrow parochial and communal tunnel vision.
“By doing so, we will bring about more common understanding and a real evolution on the common concerns necessary for national stability and unity,” he said.
