A CONFIDENT Najib Razak told his Umno division chiefs last night that a majority of the 1.6 million civil servants are returning to support his Barisan Nasional (BN) government, a year before he has to call for the general election.

The Umno president also thanked the division chiefs for their support, saying they determined his party post and job as prime minister, sources attending an Umno meeting at Seri Perdana told The Malaysian Insight.

“The civil servants are returning to support BN,” a source at the meeting quoted Najib as saying, adding that the prime minister was giving an update ahead of Parliament reconvening on Monday.

Malaysia’s bloated civil service, which has one civil servant for every 19 citizens, is crucial to BN’s grip power, particularly after the ruling coalition lost the popular vote in the 2013 general election.

The BN government recently extended the service of the country’s top two judges despite the Malaysian Bar expressing misgivings over the legality of the move. 

It is understood that Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar’s tenure is also expected to be extended when his contract expires later this year to ensure continuity before the elections are called.

Najib had received a briefing on the civil servants’ growing support at a meeting in the Umno retreat centre in Janda Baik, Pahang, two weekends ago, another source said.

“The Janda Baik meeting was to explore ways to ensure support returns from the civil servants. And what can be done if they don’t vote for the government,” the source added.

BN leaders have always reminded civil servants to back the government of the day, which has regularly handed out bonuses and incentives seen as political goodies.

In March, Chief Secretary to the Government Ali Hamsa said civil servants should not bite the hand that feeds them, and cautioned them against being influenced by lies regarding the government.

“After all that has been prepared by the government for the people and for civil servants, I urge civil servants to focus on supporting the government,” Ali had said, adding that the Najib government had provided at a time of global economic uncertainty.

Other sources at last night’s meeting also reported Najib as being blunt in telling the Umno warlords that they determined his position in the party.

“He admitted their support keeps him at the top,” one source said, adding that this was an acknowledgement of their backing despite the constant criticism and diatribe from the opposition over Najib’s performance and the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal.

Najib has kept his job despite the widening scandal that has led to convictions in Singapore, investigations in various jurisdictions and lurid exposes of luxury purchases and monies being siphoned off from 1MDB and other accounts into the prime minister’s bank accounts.

He has denied any wrongdoing, pointing out that he has been cleared by the Malaysian attorney-general and that investigations are still going on into the scandal. – July 20, 2017.