PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today asked civil servants to work towards regaining the country’s respect.
In his first official meeting with the civil servants today, Dr Mahathir stressed that Malaysia had lost its respect in the last few years.
“This is the struggle we have to go through to regain Malaysia’s respect.
“I am so disappointed because Malaysia’s administration was once the best in the Commonwealth and capable to do all programmes successfully.
“But, it is not so now,” he said to civil servants who had gathered as early as 7am today.
Also present were Dr Mahathir’s wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa and Public Services Department director-general Tan Sri Zainal Rahim Seman.
The prime minister arrived at the Putra Square at 8.20am and was greeted with rousing applause from those present when he took the stage.
Today is Dr Mahathir first official meeting with the civil servants, after he was sworn in as the Seventh Prime Minister on May 11, following Pakatan Harapan's (PH) win in the 14th General Election (GE-14).
Prior to this, Dr Mahathir had held his meetings at the Perdana Leadership Foundation, here, including receiving courtesy calls from the Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Singapore Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong.
Reporting by Azura Abas, Manirajan Ramasamy and Mohd Husni Mohd Noor