How can civil servants better tolerate political appointees?

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Civil Servants Urged to Exercise Tolerance Towards Political Appointees

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has called for greater tolerance among civil servants towards political appointees, acknowledging that the latter may require time to adapt to administrative matters. This call comes amidst his assertion that a culture of sabotaging government policies, while diminished, still persists within the civil service, making the complete 'cleaning up' of departments a gradual process. He highlighted the need for patience and a collaborative approach to address deficiencies, rather than resorting to anger or disputes.
Addressing Deficiencies Through Patience and Understanding

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has articulated that civil servants should adopt a patient and understanding attitude towards political appointees, who may not possess the same depth of knowledge in administrative affairs. He suggested that a "give and take" approach is essential for effective collaboration. This implies that established civil servants should be prepared to guide and support newcomers, fostering an environment where learning and adaptation can occur without friction.
The Ongoing Process of Government Reform

The Prime Minister acknowledged that the effort to reform government departments and agencies is not a swift undertaking. He cited an example of civil servants not receiving their salaries for an extended period of four months as an instance of inexplicable administrative failures that require rectification. This underscores the complexity of institutional change and the persistent challenges in ensuring efficient and equitable administration across the board.
Correcting Errors with a Constructive Mindset

Dr Mahathir emphasized that the focus should be on constructively addressing shortcomings rather than reacting with anger. This perspective encourages a problem-solving mindset where the emphasis is on identifying and rectifying what has gone wrong. By fostering an environment that prioritizes correction and improvement, the aim is to enhance the overall effectiveness and integrity of public service delivery.

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How can civil servants better tolerate political appointees?

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