http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2007/12/14/central/19749970&sec=central
Friday December 14, 2007
Selangor MB wants to ship out the trouble-makers
By EDWARD RAJENDRA
SELANGOR Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo has declared war on the Little Napoleons in the state.
According to Khir, the days of these crafty civil servants are numbered. The names of these unscrupulous characters are being compiled and they will be moved to other jobs within the state or offered the voluntary separation scheme.
Khir said these trouble-makers who considered themselves untouchables due to their connection with powerful politicians comprised nearly 10% of the civil service workforce in the state’s local councils.
Khir: ‘We will not tolerate such characters who have become warlords within their self-created fiefdoms.’He said that these corrupt opportunists used unethical and irregular means to undermine the work of the local council presidents, sometimes even overruling them through backhand tactics in the management of the council.
Khir said this after the weekly state executive council meeting in Shah Alam.
“These officers have crafted their niche in the departments for a long time. Council presidents, who are federal government appointees, come and go but these characters continue as their employment scope falls under the close system,” he said.
According to Khir, the senior officers were creating their own fiefdoms through alliances with their patron politicians, making the life of the council presidents difficult by using political pressure and unethical tactics.
“We must put a stop to this ugly culture. All council presidents have been told to submit to me the names of the problematic civil servants, even those with political connection. I want to curb anyone from working against the implementation of state policies,” Khir said.
“We will not tolerate such characters who have become warlords within their self-created fiefdoms,” he said.
According to Khir, all this while, directors, deputy directors and the senior officers could not be transferred out due to the close system, but now that the government has rectified the clause in the Local Government Act 1974, these people could be moved within the state.
“The Selangor administration has not failed the people although there are some bad apples. Sometimes, my approach in handling the lackadaisical staff in my rather strange manners is scoffed at, but I just want to achieve a better delivery system that will be on par with that in developed countries,” he said.
Recently, Khir’s controversial innovative broom awards for the inefficient departments in the state was scoffed at by some people, but he drove home his message loud and clear with it.
Khir, obviously referring to the broom controversy, said that “giving a certain emblem should not be frowned at and even the media must help support this initiative.”
“The chief secretary to the government, Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan, and Public Services Department director-general Tan Sri Ismail Adam have recently expressed concern about the management of the local councils. It is good that we have their support to further improve the delivery system,” he said.
Khir said that inefficient and ineffective state employees who continued to perform badly and not give the ratepayers their due in proper services despite constant advice and guidance would have to leave the local councils.
link : Lulu Wondering, When Khir Toyo Says "connection with powerful politicians", Is He Refering To All, Or Just Those Not Affliated To Him
