COMMENT The nation’s founding prime minister, the late Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, who would have been 111 years old today, wanted a civil service that will not give special preferences for the Malays recruited, as well as not be subject to any political interference.
Under Article 153 of the federal constitution, special preferences will be accorded to the Malays recruited, but, “these preferences cease to apply and there will be complete equality of treatment once in service”.
Recalled Ramon Navaratnam, who served in the Treasury during the Tunku’s term: “This was the Tunku at his best in projecting the Merdeka spirit.
“In the true Merdeka spirit, a firm and determined Tunku focused in uniting all the races and religions as one nationality.
“Unfortunately, this has faded away today. What we need is a revival of the Tunku’s ideals and values and that very Merdeka spirit that can lift Malaysia from the current decline in racial unity.”
Ramon reminisced on Merdeka Day when he attended the nation’s independence day ceremony at the Stadium Merdeka on Aug 31, 1957.
“I watched him and witnessed the remarkable, historic ceremony with awe,” said Ramon, who was then a student at Universiti Malaya.
Back in 1957, Tunku (right) urged the Alliance government (now the BN), to maintain an efficient and contented civil service.
“To this end, the service must feel that it is not subjected to political interference and that it can tender advice without fear of consequences. Only this way can it be expected to attract into the service and retain the men and women of high calibre,” he said.
The Tunku made this speech as chief minister of Malaya, on July 10, 1957, in the Federal Legislative Council to establish the Federation of Malaya as an independent, sovereign state on 31st August, 1957.
On candidates for the civil service, Tunku said in a book on his speeches published by the Archives Department: “Under Article 153, there will be certain preferences accorded to Malays when candidates are under consideration for the first appointment. But once an officer has been recruited to the permanent establishment, these preferences cease to apply and there will be complete equality of treatment.”
Ramon (left), who is now chairperson of Asli Centre of Public Policy Studies, added that the Tunku believed in an equal, just and fair society for all Malayans.
He stressed in his speech that Malayans at that time should “remove communal barriers and help build a united patriotic Malayan people. This Article 153 gives each of us a great opportunity to show, and that we are prepared, to place the interests of Malaya as a whole before the interests of our own community”.
'Founded on principles of liberty and justice'
Back in 1957 in the Proclamation of Independence, and again in 1963 in the Proclamation of Malaysia, Tunku affirmed that this nation “shall remain as a democratic nation founded upon the principles of liberty and justice, and that the role of the state is to continuously seek the welfare and happiness of its people”.
In his speech to the Federal Legislative Council, Tunku cautioned any fears in the minds of Chinese and Indians on the study of their own mother tongues.
“There seems to be a fear existing in the minds of non-Malays that their right to learn and use their own languages will ultimately be lost. But, Article 152 provides no person shall be prohibited or prevented from learning and using his own language.
“It is also provided that it shall be the right of the federal government and the state governments to preserve and sustain the study of the language of any other community. This amounts to a duty imposed by the constitution on the government to uphold the right of others to learn their language,” Tunku said.
As for Malaya’s future, Tunku told the legislative assembly: “The economical future is bright. The country must not be held back by the selfish and the unyielding attitude of any individual or groups of individuals as he constitution provides the framework for a happy and contented federation. Let us all firmly resolve to make it work.”
And the Tunku concluded his 40-page historical policy speech, as he termed it: “Let us make it work and build for ourselves and our descendants a Shangrila whereby we all can live in peace, happiness and prosperity.”
Also this morning on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Tunku, the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) is holding a free public event to mark this special day, at the Memorial Tunku Abdul Rahman (at 9.45am).
M KRISHNAMOORTHY is a freelance journalist and local coordinator for CNN, BBC and several other foreign television networks. He was formerly a journalist with The Star and New Straits Times and has authored four books.
Under Article 153 of the federal constitution, special preferences will be accorded to the Malays recruited, but, “these preferences cease to apply and there will be complete equality of treatment once in service”.
Recalled Ramon Navaratnam, who served in the Treasury during the Tunku’s term: “This was the Tunku at his best in projecting the Merdeka spirit.
“In the true Merdeka spirit, a firm and determined Tunku focused in uniting all the races and religions as one nationality.
“Unfortunately, this has faded away today. What we need is a revival of the Tunku’s ideals and values and that very Merdeka spirit that can lift Malaysia from the current decline in racial unity.”
Ramon reminisced on Merdeka Day when he attended the nation’s independence day ceremony at the Stadium Merdeka on Aug 31, 1957.
“I watched him and witnessed the remarkable, historic ceremony with awe,” said Ramon, who was then a student at Universiti Malaya.
Back in 1957, Tunku (right) urged the Alliance government (now the BN), to maintain an efficient and contented civil service.“To this end, the service must feel that it is not subjected to political interference and that it can tender advice without fear of consequences. Only this way can it be expected to attract into the service and retain the men and women of high calibre,” he said.
The Tunku made this speech as chief minister of Malaya, on July 10, 1957, in the Federal Legislative Council to establish the Federation of Malaya as an independent, sovereign state on 31st August, 1957.
On candidates for the civil service, Tunku said in a book on his speeches published by the Archives Department: “Under Article 153, there will be certain preferences accorded to Malays when candidates are under consideration for the first appointment. But once an officer has been recruited to the permanent establishment, these preferences cease to apply and there will be complete equality of treatment.”
Ramon (left), who is now chairperson of Asli Centre of Public Policy Studies, added that the Tunku believed in an equal, just and fair society for all Malayans.He stressed in his speech that Malayans at that time should “remove communal barriers and help build a united patriotic Malayan people. This Article 153 gives each of us a great opportunity to show, and that we are prepared, to place the interests of Malaya as a whole before the interests of our own community”.
'Founded on principles of liberty and justice'
Back in 1957 in the Proclamation of Independence, and again in 1963 in the Proclamation of Malaysia, Tunku affirmed that this nation “shall remain as a democratic nation founded upon the principles of liberty and justice, and that the role of the state is to continuously seek the welfare and happiness of its people”.
In his speech to the Federal Legislative Council, Tunku cautioned any fears in the minds of Chinese and Indians on the study of their own mother tongues.
“There seems to be a fear existing in the minds of non-Malays that their right to learn and use their own languages will ultimately be lost. But, Article 152 provides no person shall be prohibited or prevented from learning and using his own language.
“It is also provided that it shall be the right of the federal government and the state governments to preserve and sustain the study of the language of any other community. This amounts to a duty imposed by the constitution on the government to uphold the right of others to learn their language,” Tunku said.
As for Malaya’s future, Tunku told the legislative assembly: “The economical future is bright. The country must not be held back by the selfish and the unyielding attitude of any individual or groups of individuals as he constitution provides the framework for a happy and contented federation. Let us all firmly resolve to make it work.”
And the Tunku concluded his 40-page historical policy speech, as he termed it: “Let us make it work and build for ourselves and our descendants a Shangrila whereby we all can live in peace, happiness and prosperity.”
Also this morning on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Tunku, the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) is holding a free public event to mark this special day, at the Memorial Tunku Abdul Rahman (at 9.45am).
M KRISHNAMOORTHY is a freelance journalist and local coordinator for CNN, BBC and several other foreign television networks. He was formerly a journalist with The Star and New Straits Times and has authored four books.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.