Too many civil servants are either moonlighting or doing some side businesses. Government integrity is at stake - by Murray Hunter

 Too many civil servants are either moonlighting or doing some side businesses

Government integrity is at stake by Murray Hunter -  Nov 20

Malaysian civil servants are very lucky. During the Covid emergency they were guaranteed their salaries and even got a bonus. Just recently, civil servants got a 10 percent plus salary hike, something those working within the private sector must fight hard for.

In-fact, those civil servants over grade 56 should be considered as the part of the top echelon of salary earners in Malaysia. Together with their benefits and allowances, they are the real lucky ones.

However, many civil servants are not happy with this.

Many are conducting side businesses.

There are two categories.

The first category includes those who prepare and sell food in markets, Ramadan Bazaars, and conduct other “harmless” businesses outside their work. Some are very innovative, making soaps, artworks, and other things for Sunday markets etc. Most of the activities, unless they take up undue time are really just hobby businesses.

The second category is much more alarming and more widespread than many believe. Some civil services create specific vehicles to benefit from there position within the civil service. Examples of this would include the supplying of stationary, IT, or other equipment to the departments they work within. Some offer event management to the government. Others offer consulting to those who might want to deal with government. There are plenty of other examples. The common thread is that these activities profit from their positions within the civil service.

Unfortunately, some people within the senior echelons in government at both state and federal levels have turned this into a fine art, using think tanks as emissaries, facilitators, and intermediaries between private enterprise and government.  

This is making the civil service, inefficient, bloated, and even dishonest to the oaths of office they made. If senior civil servants have time to undertake businesses outside their jobs, it’s the government and people who are missing out on efficiency and innovation.

This is an issue that has been discussed for more than 20 years. It was a pet issue of the DAP, who are silent today, when they are in government. As former DAP MP Wong Chen said, many of these side businesses can create conflicts of interest.

According to the public service regulations, regulation 5 says public servants are prohibited from,

• directly or indirectly participate in any commercial, agricultural, or industrial enterprise
• seek paid work from any private institution, company, firm, or individual.
• provide paid or free expert reports or opinions
• serve as a trustee, administrator, or receiver

For far too long a blind eye has been given to civil servants running their side businesses.

This is a small area which can be looked at to end corruption and improve efficiency and integrity of the civil service.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.