I read a very funny statement from Cuepacs president yesterday:

Cuepacs president Omar Osman has denied that civil servants had contributed to Pas’ victory in Saturday’s Kuala Terengganu by-election.

He said public services employees, both those serving the federal and state governments, fully supported the Barisan Nasional and Umno leadership.

He was commenting on a claim by Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin.

“Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin claimed government staff serving the federal and state governments sympathised with and supported Pas,” Omar said yesterday.

“He also said they had become more daring to vote for Pas in the by-election despite being threatened or forced.

“This is a big lie by a man who knows nothing about the public services or its system.

“The more than 1.2 million civil servants in this country have been loyal and supportive of the government. There is no doubt about that.”

He said civil servants appreciated what the government had been doing for them all these years.

“They know who has been fighting for their welfare and paying their salaries to enable them to feed and support their family. Leave them alone,” Omar said.

Firstly, I think its wrong of the Perak MB to suggest or claim that civil servants are supporting PAS or any other party for that matter. He cannot possibly represent any segment of 1.2 million people nor conclude how these people voted.

The same goes for Cuepacs president. Yes, he is the official representative of the civil servants FOR issues related to EMPLOYMENT only. He cannot represent the individuals nor can he claim that the civil servants are supporting certain parties. Civil servants can do their job without any political affiliation. Regardless of who is the government of the day, the work must go on.

Secondly, it is known that civil servant salary comes from tax collection, i.e. the public money.  Never had been a case that any political party paid for salary of government staff from its own coffers. So, who is it the workers should be indebted to ultimately?

If one remembers the results for Putrajaya parliament seat, the opposition did garner a number of votes. Thus its meaningless to say that all civil servants support certain parties when even in the most important parliamentary seat it was not a clean sweep of the votes.

I am obliged to think that these employees are professional enough to separate work from political leanings.  Perhaps only the leaders need some education on this matter.

Civil servants., just like any other citizen, can vote for whoever they like and its nobody’s business.  Any interference is a crime against basic human rights.  So, Omar, Nizar and the rest can keep their opinions and claims to themselves less they are made to look like fools.

The Race Relations Act was mooted back in September by MCA after the Sin Chew reporter saga. The cabinet moved to work on it. However, there were hints that it will be “adapted” to our local environment as mentioned by Home Minister Syed Hamid.

In a major turnaround, it seems the Cabinet decided that such an act is not relevant.

The government has decided not to pursue the proposed Race Relations Act – just four months after saying that the cabinet had agreed to do so.

The change of heart was announced today by Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Shafie Apdal.

He said that the cabinet has now agreed that there was no need for the Act, according to reports.

Shafie said that the cabinet had studied the matter thoroughly and has decided not to proceed with the proposed Act.

“Race relations is something that comes naturally and cannot be forced through legislation,” he told reporters today.

“That is why everyone in the cabinet agreed there was no need for such an Act.”

Shafie added that so many experts were against such an Act being implemented in this country.

The minister also said that he had studied similar acts in several other countries and found that such an act was not suitable here.

To overcome any religious tensions, the minister suggested that everyone respected each others’ religion and race.

“We have lived in harmony for more than 50 years. Why can’t we continue to do so? You cannot force someone to like you. It must come naturally,” he added.

Interesting words indeed – “The minister also said that he had studied similar acts in several other countries and found that such an act was not suitable here.” Wonder what he means by that.