Mr.Najib, Is My Money Well Spent?

The Budget 2015 announced by Dato' Seri Najib recently, has received mixed reactions from the Malaysians. In fact, the recent budget also received criticism from the Malaysian economic experts such as Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam. The most important question is, whether the budget is really people-friendly?

The 2015 Budget amounts to RM273.94 billion, an increase of RM9.74 billion compared to the previous year. And as in previous years, emolument or the civil servants' salaries, is the largest component of the budget in 2015 in which next year, the emolument is estimated at RM65.6 billion. This is a big increment, especially when compared to the year 2013 which only reached RM61 billion.

Does the increase in emoluments relevant, when in reality, the government is actively trying to control the government deficit?

Eliminate the post of the Special Envoy

If anyone asks me about a field that promises money for life, I will definitely recommend the person to join politics (related to the ruling party). Within last few years, Dato' Seri Najib has introduced the positions of "special envoy". Datuk Seri Samy Velu (former MIC president and “famed” for his eloquence in Malay language) has been made Special Envoy to South India for infrastructure. Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting (former MCA president) as the Special Envoy to China and Datuk Seri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis is the Special Envoy to the United States. Not forgetting, Dato' Seri Tiong King Sin has been appointed as Special Envoy to the East Asia. The Special Envoy post is an addition to the existing ambassador posts.

It is worth to be noted here that countries like India, China, United States and Japan have long had ambassadors and other diplomats from Malaysia's representing our country there.

Thus, the establishment of the office of the Special Envoy is seen as unimportant and just a waste of public money. However, Dato' Seri Najib is likely to deny this statement by saying the Special Envoys are appointed to bring in investment opportunities and other benefits. For example, Samy Velu has good relations with India since he brought many Malaysian companies to invest in India’s infrastructure-building during his tenure as the Minister of Public Works. In that sense, Samy Vellu is the perfect candidate to bring Malaysian capitalists to invest in the emerging India or that’s what Mr. Najib thinks.

For me, this idea is unreasonable. Yes, the success of Samy Velu helping Malaysian companies to venture in India must be taken into concern, but what is the current Minister of Works, Dato Fadhillah Yusuf doing? Could he not continue to bring Malaysian businesses to invest in infrastructure developments in foreign soil? If not, why should he be retained?

Likewise are with all the other Special Envoys. If the existing Ministers and the current ambassadors are doing what their tasked for properly, the office of the Special Envoy should by any sense, be irrelevant.

Many may be wondering why I am pushing for this position to be abolished. Before you call me an opposition “cyber trooper”, I should duly explain. This is due to the fact that a Special Envoy is paid up to RM27,000 as monthly salary. This is greater than the net salary of the Prime Minister! And perhaps, there may also be other benefits. Assuming the position of Special Envoy eliminated, the amount of civil service’s emoluments can definitely be reduced.

Eliminate the posts of Special Advisor to the Prime Minister's

Currently, there are four positions of Special Advisors; Datuk Seri Dr Abdullah Md Zin (Religious Advisor to the PM), Datuk Wira Mohd Johari Baharum (Special Advisor on Northern Corridor Economic Region), Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim (Advisor on Social Affairs and Culture) and Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil (Advisor on Women’s Development and Entrepreneurship). They are also expected to be paid with a hefty sum monthly, which eventually will result in soaring final figure of emolument.

It is never my intention to question the credibility of these four individuals and spread fallacies, but is Datuk Seri Dr Abdullah Md Zin’s post really necessary since Dato 'Seri Jamil Khir is the minister responsible for Islamic affairs? Should Rais Yatim be appointed when Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz is in charge of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture? And most important of all, should Shahrizat Abdul Jalil be appointed as Advisor on the women’s development when the Dato Rohani Abdul Karim is responsible for the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development? Was she appointed to the post just because  Dato Shahrizat is Wanita Umno chief, despite the fact that she has lost the election and was linked with the “Cow-gate” scandal?

Should civil servants' salaries be raised?

Yes, the government officials also need a pay raise, but any increment must be followed by improved quality and workmanship. But, is it happening in Malaysia’s public administration?

Public employees whom are not productive and are of poor quality are maintained in the government for fear of "losing votes". Several years ago, the Civil Service New Scheme (SBPA) was introduced and contained "Exit Policy", in which public employees will be evaluated every year and to those who scored less than 70% mark, will be sacked from the public service. However, the objection from CEUPACS (which later agreed with lower scores) and various other parties, SBPA has been replaced with the Transformative Remuneration Scheme which comes with no “exit policy”.

Malaysia currently has 1.4 million civil servants. For me, this is not so bloated compared to other countries because in Malaysia, army and police officials are also counted as public employees, unlike in other countries. However, we cannot and should not compromise with lacklustre performance of some civil servants and they need to be removed. Official statement shows that only 1.1% of civil servants scored less than 70% appraisal marks each year. If so, the "Exit Policy" should be re-introduced in a new form after discussion and explanation of all the parties involved. For this time, it is appropriate if a higher threshold mark of 75% -80% is set.

Conclusion

I personally agree with the rationalization of subsidies, but such attempt alone will not help the government to achieve or a balanced budget. My recommendation is Malaysia needs to reduce expenses in the payment of emoluments by putting the welfare of the people as the main intent, rather than to meet the "passions" of politics.