Sunday, May 26, 2013

The Happy Majority....

Most Malaysians are very happy that the election is over and everything is back to normal. Even if they don't know who the new Ministers and State Excos are, or whether they represent the electorate or not let alone be happy with their selection, someone is there in the seat of power to look after the interest of the people and nation. Only the buddies of the ex-Ministers and Exco members will really feel the lost of the big cables they have been hanging on to in order to help them achieve their goals. For the men-in-the-street, they have fought their own battle with little or no help from the powers that be.

Yes, everything is back to normal, including the traffic jams on the main highways and roads. A few hours journey from one point to another may now take half a day or a whole day. Bumper to bumper and not a single traffic policeman to help smoothen the traffic. They are perhaps too busy controlling the traffic flow on the city streets or directing traffic at some of the big national celebrations like The Colors of Malaysia and the Youths Festival. While enjoying the very slow ride on the roads, observe that some of the election posters, banners and buntings had yet to be removed although more than two weeks have passed after the election. Many are blue in color with the 'dacing' (weighing machine) prominently displayed. No wonder the authorities concerned could not take the offenders to task. Who dares touch the 'dacing' people? - the power behind the throne, so to say.

It is at the time when the political leaders are sorting things out and getting the Cabinet in order that the civil servants are left pretty much to themselves. They have to get things done while trying to get to know their new bosses, if they are new and of an unknown quantity. The top civil servants themselves must make some adjustments, especially when the new boss had not been a real favorite or friend while he was serving in another lower capacity. Some will have the unpleasant experience of finding a person you once rebuffed or refused to cooperate with suddenly becoming your own boss. In politics the villain of yesterday can suddenly become the power-that-be of today, (It might also work the other way around). In the bureaucratic organization itself, a nobody of yesterday might suddenly become your superior since he or she enjoys the trust of the new boss. Well, that's the name of the game and you jus t have to play it.

Be that as it may, a change of the political leadership at the top of an organization offers a good opportunity to rescrutinize the organization's past and on-going programs. Many weaknesses can be removed since the new boss will only be too eager to set his own mark and standards. Many will want to bring about a big change. to stamp his or her personality on the organization's book of record. That's when civil servants can make their own recommendations to "remove previous weaknesses." Must be careful though or you yourself might be removed. Those who have moved up the scale before based on favoritism, will find themselves in trouble.And that is good for the 'apple polisher'(or bottom fanner) can now be removed.

Come to think of the 'transformation' (transformasi) that the PM has been harping on. Is there a real change for the better or will it be more of the same like before. The civil servants can be in the best position to judge. But make peace with your new bosses first or you will end up in pieces. When most Malaysians are happy with the leaders that they have voted into power, who are you to say that you don't like the new boss. Yoiu're the lot that's supposed to be innovative and creative. But do or say something that the new boss doesn't like. No matter how innovative or creative it is, you'd better get ready to be phased out. It's better sometimes to just smile and dance to the new tune set by the new boss.


9 comments:

abdulhalimshah said...

Akhi,
If the past experience we had is anything to go by,changes of Ministers and down the political appointments in the Ministry after an election is a normal thing. Civil servants who serve without fear or favour do not feel intimidated or excited by such changes, because public policy has been well defined. Thus any change that impinge on policy will have to go back to the Government and not just at the whim and fancy of the Minister. Even a Deputy Minister is not a member of the Cabinet and in the past, we have seen they only touch on things given by the Minister and they cannot initiate matters on their own. Such was the situation before, and I guess it remains the same as of today.

norzah said...

Quite so, Akhi Halim. But we've seen Ministers with their own style of work and idiosyncrasies, going against set rues and regulations to achieve their own politic al goal. Civil servants who stand in the way can get kicked out while their favorites gain power 'naik tocang'. So the had better be careful.

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kaykuala said...

Akhi Norzah,
1) So things finally has come to a conclusion where the govt.picks up from where it left of. But it's not a finality for some few who need to still make noise to remain relevant. They will exhaust themselves in no time. But where their nuisance value touch on security or even long term race relations then the die-hards need be put in their place. A custodial sentence is the answer not warnings or fines (their coffers are bulging sourced with foreign funds)

2) As to the civil servants, it reminds me of what the late Datuk Harun Hashim once said. In 'all instances of good admin'n at whatever level one should always make it easier for those that come after us' Then conflicts and the blame syndrome will be minimised!

Hank

norzah said...

Thank you, Anonymous for dropping in. Will return the visit in good time.

norzah said...

Thank you Akhi Kaykuala for the response. Yes I agree with you to impose a custodial sentence on those found guilty of disturbing or endangering the peace in Malaysia. As regards the civil servants, I have a feeling that politicians are running the show now with the civil servants as the office boys. Professionalism is lost in political expediency. Hope i'am wrong.

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norzah said...

Wow, don't jack to muchlah, bro Anonymous. It might catapult me so high up that when I drop back to earth, I could be a dead duck.I am happy if I can contribute in a small way towards a better understanding of our socio-economic problems. God bless you.