Penang Gerakan congratulates and lauds the announcement made by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok regarding the high-level meetings that have been held between senior civil servants and ministers to determine the best racial composition of their respective agencies so as to work out a fair racial composition policy across the country’s civil service.

We view this as a positive and concrete step in the right direction on the part of the government during this time of political instability. Although it is long overdue and that it should have been done a long time ago, nevertheless, it is never too late.

Multi-ethnicity of the civil service is one of the struggles of Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (PGRM). We strongly and fully support this move and are ready to work with any government to realise this objective.

Multi-ethnicity in the civil service in a diversified society like Malaysia is of utmost importance. The different races working together will be able to learn from each other and share the work ethics and cultures of the different races. This will further promote unity and harmony amongst the people which is the basic foundation of Malaysia’s nation building. They will also be able to complement each other during festivities where essential services like healthcare (hospitals), security and safety (fire brigades, police, army) will remain fully operational and will not be interrupted by the lack of staff during a certain time of festivity. Thus, the efficiency of the civil service will be further enhanced.

We urge Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak who will take over the premiership soon to focus on this very pertinent issue and take immediate pro-active and affirmative actions to realise this objective.

Penang Gerakan will push for this reform in the civil service to fully reflect and represent the multi-racial and unique diversity of the people of Malaysia towards a more effective and efficient civil service which will further strengthen the harmony and unity of the country for the benefit of all.