PM orders civil service to speed up aid to Malaysians, stresses equal treatment for all

KUALA LUMPUR, Mar 1 — The civil service has to act swiftly to ensure government aid reaches Malaysians quickly, while the government must provide fair and equal treatment to all Malaysians, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin stressed today.

Muhyiddin said cooperation and commitment from a public service that is “efficient, with integrity and caring” is required for the government’s plans for the nation.

In his speech that was broadcast live on national television in conjunction with the one-year anniversary of the Perikatan Nasional government under his leadership, Muhyiddin had among other things noted the difficult economic situation amid the Covid-19 pandemic, where more have become poorer.

“In these difficult times, my hope is for all public servants to focus on efforts to help citizens. This is the number one priority.

“Speed up the process of aid delivery to Malaysians. They cannot wait long,” he said, adding that even a delay in aid reaching needy Malaysians may result in them not being able to cook.

“The same goes for applications from traders and investors. Ease the process for them to invest, start and recover their respective business,” he said.

He said the federal government will continue to implement the National Anti-Corruption Plan to enhance governance, integrity and anti-corruption and to achieve the aim of having a country that has integrity and which is free of corruption.

“Government leaders, whether politicians or public servants, must protect all citizens. All must be treated equally and be defended fairly,” he further added.

Muhyiddin also urged government-linked companies and statutory bodies to carry out corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes to help the needy, noting: “This is the time for all of us to give back to the society.”

Muhyiddin said he had received many applications from traders who had asked to be exempted from paying rent at GLC premises where they were occupying for business purposes, adding that the GLCs should consider such requests for rental waiver.

“Many traders are experiencing losses. Help them to save their businesses and rise up again,” he said.

Muhyiddin’s speech with the theme Setahun Malaysia Prihatin was delivered at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre in Putrajaya, with those attending and addressed by him including ministers, deputy ministers, mentri besar and chief ministers, the chief secretary to the government, the public service director-general, foreign diplomats, secretary-generals of ministries, heads of government departments, heads of GLCs and statutory bodies.

In the same speech, the prime minister thanked the Cabinet, leaders of political parties under Perikatan Nasional, MPs, mentri besar and chief ministers, public servants, the security forces, GLC leaders, leaders of non-governmental organisations, the private sector and Malaysians for supporting the government’s efforts in managing the Covid-19 pandemic and restoring the country’s economy.

“Any achievements by our country in the past year and in the future is the achievement of all of you together,” he said.

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