Dear Dr Lim Teck Ghee,

Since you have mentioned my name in your good article (‘Updating Dr M on who runs the country’) and asked me to comment – here goes!

Yes, I agree that the discontinuation of the publication of the civil service staff list is unfortunate!

When I joined the Malaysian civil service in 1959, we had the carryover of the British practice of publishing these very informative civil service staff lists.

As civil servants, we used to look forward to these annual publications as they informed us of where our MCS colleagues were posted at any one time, who was promoted and from what date. These important details enhanced transparency and enabled us to monitor our own progress and advancement in the civil service vis-à-vis our tightly knit and competitive fraternity.

In my time, recruitment to the civil service was at a ratio of 4:1 for Malays to non-Malays. Now it is far worse. But we don’t really know as there is no staff list that can tell us the facts!

What a pity, particularly since civil servants and the public at large will I’m sure still enjoy reading the civil service staff list.

More importantly, if the private sector is to play the role of the engine of growth in the 10th Malaysia Plan, then the investors must need to know who in government they could contact for advice and guidance.

I believe that the government should continue to be seen as more transparent and accountable in making as much information available to the public/rakyat, especially when it costs so little on the websites, please?

Thanks & regards,

Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam