In April 2017, the then Prime Minister Najib Razak, at the monthly assembly of the Malacca state government reminded civil servants that the spirit of loyalty and togetherness should exist among civil servants in the country. He also sealed his reminder that as civil servants, they had taken their oaths as civil servants to support the government elected by the people.
Loyalty, however is an admirable trait, but it appears that the Najib administration is arm twisting civil servants in the country with subtle threats on their employment, should they find out if any civil servant is seen to have a stand that is not in line with the government, to appear even as spectators at any ‘ceramah’s, forums, talks or even peaceful assemblies organised by civil society groups and even the Opposition, to share information on social media on matters that concern the welfare of the state, a government of no integrity, no transparency, no accountability and lacks the political will on good governance by the BN Government. There have rumours in the recent weeks, that show cause letters will be sent to civil servants who have been seen showing or displaying any form of support for the Opposition and against the BN government.
It appears that the Barisan Nasional’s Najib administration is even criminalising being opinionated or even merely having a stand against tyranny, oppression, corruption and abuse of power by Barisan Nasional, moreover as we enter the most heated election campaign in Malaysian history.
Why are these threats made doubting the allegiance of civil servants if Barisan Nasional has such a clean record as they claim themselves to be? Why the subtle reminder on loyalty and that civil servants must vote BN to show obedience and a forced sensed of patriotism against their own will?
Najib even stooped so low to associate the Lahad Datu incident on the existence of loyalty to a crowd of civil servants as he dangled the High Speed Rail through Ayer Keroh in Malacca and urged them not to listen to the opposition.
Last year he warned civil servants of a bleak future under the opposition, a statement that no statesman should utter. Why make such disparaging comments on the right to choose?
This is a golden opportunity for the Najib administration under BN to come clean and say it out loud and in the open that civil servants are free to vote anyone of their choice, attend public rallies, attend ceramahs organised by both sides of the political divide and to speak out without fear or favour against any tyranny, abuse of power, corruption, racism and religious bigotry without any form of repercussion on their employment.
How can Najib have that smug look on his face as he beats his chest in his war cry on how human rights is promoted and protected in Malaysia and at the same time make subtle threats and blackmails against the 1.6 million plus 65,000 civil service in Malaysia on their right to vote their government of the day, without fear or favour?
I call upon the caretaker Prime Minister Najib Razak and the Election Commission to give their pledge, their promise and their assurance that Malaysian civil servants are free to cast their ballot come 9th May even if it is for Pakatan Harapan without making subtle threats on their employment.