CIVIL servants must be apolitical so as to execute their responsibilities effectively, said Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

In a speech to government employees in Malacca today, the prime minister repeated his call for them to rise above the political changes in Putrajaya.

“Even though we’ve had a change in government, civil servants still need to carry on with their duties as administrators who are not aligned with any political party, but as civil servants who will work towards realising the goals and policies of the new government.

“I believe that all civil servants understand the need for them to not be involved directly in political parties.

“If we realise this, we will be able to carry out our duties with excellence, not just for the new government, but to bring success to our country and race.”

The call to be neutral has been a central theme in Dr Mahathir’s messages to public servants since he led Pakatan Harapan to victory over Barisan Nasional on May 9 last year.

Warning civil servants against having misplaced loyalty to the previous administration, he has repeatedly urged them to support the PH government.

In his speech today, Dr Mahathir acknowledged that working under a new government might feel “strange and awkward” for some public servants.

“Sometimes, if we’re working for and serving those who were once from the opposition, which was attacked by the government, we as administrators become directly involved.”

The Malaysian Insight previously reported that the Public Service Department plans to introduce a proposal barring civil servants from holding positions in political parties. – June 10, 2019.