Govt whistleblowers fear being put in ‘cold storage’

 

Anwar Ibrahim has urged civil servants to blow the whistle on errant officers but government employees say this is easier said than done. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Civil servants are fearful of being whistleblowers against their bosses or colleagues as complainants are likely to end up in trouble under current practices, say serving and former government servants.

The system makes heads of departments too powerful, the government servants said.

Requesting anonymity for fear of repercussions, they claim to have seen enough in the service to just mind their own business and move on, lest obstacles such as sudden transfers be thrown in their career path.

A culture of fear exists, and a rampant practice of colleagues snitching on each other to curry favour with the bosses to gain rapid promotions and exemplary appraisals which lead to special pay increments.

“It is easy for the authorities to ask government servants to speak up and assure them that they will be protected. But the reality is that none of them trust that the system will keep the complainants’ particulars confidential,” an officer said.

“The fear is real as civil servants are not allowed to go to the media under their General Orders. Many have remained as silent victims as the whole might of the government will weigh against them,” he said.

A former officer who resigned several years ago spoke of an unwritten culture of sweeping problems under the carpet to protect top officers and preserve the image of a department.

“Once a colleague was taking up the case of women officers being sexually harassed by very senior staff. Complaints and evidence were sent to a very senior officer but it was covered up,” the former officer said.

“Instead, the complainant was transferred to a department which is considered to be a cold storage for malingerers and others who frequently violate discipline. While her career stalled, the harasser was promoted and moved on,” he told FMT.

Civil servants had been urged by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim this week to criticise actions by the government which were in violation of the law. Anwar said he should not be spared.

One officer said if a complaint against a senior officer could land them in much trouble, what more if it was against the prime minister or a minister.

One officer said he was told by some seniors not to lodge complaints against the boss as he would face huge problems throughout his career.

Another officer, who is still in service, told of a group of senior officers who complained to their superior about abuses of a minister but were simply told to shut up.

One senior officer said racism in the civil service is another area that is being completely ignored because no one dares raise the matter for obvious reasons, adding that name-calling is also practised by some officers.

Following Anwar’s call, Cuepacs asked the government to come out with clear guidelines which can protect civil servants from being abused for highlighting any wrongdoings by their superiors. - FMT