PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has reminded civil servants in the country to pledge their loyalty to the nation above anything else.
He warned them about the danger of being obsessed with certain particular leaders or political parties, especially those with unethical behaviours.
“Malaysia is a blessed country and this is the reason why it thrives and prospers. This nation is more important than anything else, because this is where we are born, grow up; get married and build a family.
Dr Mahathir said although the country faced many issues, it still can develop and progress.
“Our loyalty should be to the nation. We should not be obsessed to particular leaders or political parties, particularly leaders who no longer carry out their duties and no longer focus on the wellbeing of the nation and its people.”
Dr Mahathir was speaking at the Prime Minister’s Department monthly assembly here today.
Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and Chief Secretary to the Government Datuk Seri Ismail Bakar.
As the government machinery, the prime minister told civil servants of the pitfalls of giving their loyalty to “certain people” or “certain parties” that could harm the nation.
“We will become victims. Not only us, our children and our grandchildren will become victims too. This is what we should keep in mind for the sake of our country, so that this blessed nation can continue to be peaceful and progress,” he added.
Dr Mahathir also said Malaysia had chosen to adopt the democratic system which allows anyone to lead the country.
“To have this (democratic) system, it requires us to divide ourselves into different parties with their own agendas and ideologies. It is up to us whom we want to support and form the government. Granted, this will require us to be loyal to the chosen leaders, if they strive to uphold the nation. But, our (undivided) allegiance should be to the nation.”
The people, he added, had chosen to change the government after 61 years and the prime minister acknowledged it had stirred uneasiness among certain quarters. Nonetheless, civil servants’ loyalty should be to the current government, he said.
“What is important is not about the change of government, but our loyalty to the nation.”