KUALA LUMPUR: Civil servants were told to bin support letters they receive, regardless of the sender.
Malaysian Institute of Integrity (IIM) president Datuk Dr Mohd Tap Salleh said accepting and acting on such documents would be a travesty to the government’s delivery
system, which promoted transparency.
He said while the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakop were right to say that it was not wrong to issue
support letters, the practice should not be allowed to remain in the system.
MACC and Adnan had commented on an expose by the New Straits Times on the issuance of the surat kuning, a support letter from those with influence to get the district office to approve land development.
“Yes, anyone can make recommendations. It is not against the law. However, those who receive the letter and responds to the request is going against the standard operating procedure and regulations,” he told the NST.
Tap reminded civil servants of the “Parameters of Support Letters” as underlined under the Government Transformation Programme and the public service’s “General Order” which clearly states that such documents carried no weight.
He said even if a government servant claimed he was forced to make a decision that went against the law because of pressure, he must still be punished.
An NST reader meanwhile said, saying that it was alright to send support letters was tantamount to condoning the negative practice.
“Trying to exert influence on matters involving government approval is a corrupt practice that has to be addressed.
“Those in power should not issue letters of recommendation for matters like approvals, appointments and transfers, to name a few.
“Why do you have to issue such letters anyway when the processes in place are straightforward... Unless it is to pressure the civil servant concerned,” he said.