It’s well and good that the Pakatan Harapan government has initiated a 'no gift' policy – with the exception of flowers, fruits and food – throughout the cabinet and the civil service.
This policy, enforced in June last year, is commendable. So far, two ministers publicly declined gifts presented to them at events they officiated.
But gifts of mobile phones or paintings, as rejected by ministers Anthony Loke and Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (below) are nothing compared to what is spent by event organisers in planning to host guests of honour, usually ministers.
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has made it clear that the no-gift policy is to ensure transparency and accountability, and that ministers and civil servants have to report the acceptance of gifts, entertainment and payment.
The Harapan government should take it a step further by introducing a 'no frills' policy during events officiated by ministers and senior civil servants.
It is common knowledge that organisers of events go to great lengths to host grand and impressive dos, wasting a lot of resources in the process. It doesn’t matter whether it is private or public funds.
Money gone to waste is still money which could otherwise be utilised for more meaningful purposes.
What do I mean by a 'no frills' policy? Simple, think budget airline. It provides only the essentials to keep costs low. There is nothing fancy, elaborate or luxurious.
No fanfare
Harapan ministers should inform their hosts that there is no necessity for any fanfare when they are invited to grace their functions.
Tell them to cut the costs of the publicity blitz and ceremonial pomp and use the budget, if already allocated, as a donation towards a scholarship fund or a welfare organisation. That is the right thing to do.
Last Friday, my attention was drawn to a message from a lawyer friend in Sibu who posted in the Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS) chat group regarding an event in her hometown scheduled for yesterday.
She lamented what she described as grand and excessive preparations for the opening of the event. “Today, I saw a huge tent with many canopies in the area. I’m told rental for the space alone is RM6,000, sound system rental in excess of RM10,000, cost of event planner and free lunch for all.
"There is also a five-foot-long fishtail, with a huge portrait of the guest of honour, Works Minister Baru Bian, hung on the electrical poles all along the roads leading from and out of the Lau King Howe Hospital site.
"Invitation cards were sent to all the owners of business premises, including coffee shops, in the area even though they have nothing to do with the construction board. My hairdresser also received an invitation.
“So much fanfare and money wasted just for a minister to open a new branch. And we keep on hearing that the government is short of funds. No difference from BN!” she concluded.
Assuming that the costs of the event were sponsored by Sibu contractors – as Sibu folk are known to be hospitable people – was this splendour and pageantry at the construction board event necessary?
The free lunch was to draw the crowds. Oh yes, some ministers and politicians love a huge audience to hear them speak. Many of us would probably know that the bigger the crowd, the longer the politician speaks. It is a smooth massage for his enormous ego.
To be fair to ministers, it is possible that they are probably unaware of the elaborate preparations being made. Hence, the 'no frills' policy should be initiated.
That Friday afternoon, I sent a note to Sarawak Harapan chairperson Chong Chieng Jen (above), suggesting that he issue such a directive to all Harapan lawmakers in Sarawak.
"The Sibu case is an example. Even if the hosts are paying for the ego-boosting fanfare, it is still money going down the drain.
"If Harapan leaders in Sarawak are enjoying this ceremonial pomp and splendour, then be prepared to be a one-term government. The people are watching. Harapan can do better than BN, surely," I said.
It really doesn’t bother me whether Harapan leaders in Sarawak or Putrajaya take note of our feedback or not. As citizens, we just perform our duty to inform them of public feedback. The rest is up to them.
The 'no gift' policy is good. This 'no frills' policy could even be better, if 'transparency and accountability' is really the maxim of the Harapan government.
FRANCIS PAUL SIAH heads the Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS) and can be reached at sirsiah@gmail.com. - Mkini
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