Instill dedication not fear among civil servants

I refer to your report “Terengganu Government uses CCTVs to monitor its civil servants”.(Star June 11).

It is sad that the government as to resort to the threats, like using CCTVs, to ensure the staff carry out their duties for which they are paid. Isn’t the recent hike in salaries sufficient incentive for them to work efficiently?

The plan to introduce CCTVs may seem to reinforce the common public perception that chit-chatting and lepaking (loitering) during office is rampant and a serious problem that is plaguing the civil service today.

I remember the days when as civil servants, we did not need such threats of punitive action to carry out the tasks entrusted to us. Very often we had to work through lunch breaks and after officer hours without even being paid overtime. We did that willingly without much grouse.The slogan“Berkhidmat untuk Negera” introduced then was an inspiration to provide quality service to the rakyat.

What has happened to the slogan now? Why has it failed to instill the dedication to and proper attitude to work among the civil servants today?It is timely for us to review what has gone wrong and implement remedial measures to boost the morale of the civil service.

The move of using CCTVs may be a brilliant idea and an innovative way to optimize information technology but it alone will not be sufficient to effectively improve the delivery system. Work done by compulsion and out of fear for the superiors, will not bring lasting results.Moreover spying on subordinates may be unethical,as it infringes on individual rights and can be subjected to abuse.

For an efficient delivery system,its members should have the right attitude towards work.It should be done with love and passion for the job.Regretably these are badly lacking these days, in both the public and to some extent even in private sector. What is needed is a responsible work force that is dedicated to provide the services to the members of the public, who are the real masters of the public service.

Rewarding the good and punishing the bad is the rule for success in any organisation.Stern action must be taken against errant workers without fear or favour regardless of their status or political affiliation.At the same time truely dedicated staff must be recognised,appreciated and approprietely rewarded.This will go a long way to improve the sense of belonging and loyalty to the institution.

It is important to instill the idea among members at all levels of the civil service that they are in fact the servants not masters of the public.Their utmost priority should be loyalty to the members of the public who should be served with respect and dedication.

Dr.Chris Anthony