Madani gov't trolled for using KSN to ban civil servants from joining 'Turun Anwar' rally
This is because civil servants must adhere to the pledge enshrined in the Rukun Negara, particularly by upholding the principle of loyalty to king and country, according to Chief Secretary to the Government (KSN) Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
'They cannot attend. Civil servants recite the pledge every day, every week,' justified Shamsul who succeeded Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali on Aug 10 last year.
'Have they forgotten? Be loyal to the king and country,' he said after launching the Association of Former Students of Mara Junior Science Colleges (ANSARA) Sports Carnival 2025 in Putrajaya yesterday (July 20).
While Shamsul did not specify if the nature of disciplinary action to be taken on errant civil servants, a majority of commenters to the NST Online Facebook post of Shamsul's message felt that it is unbecoming of the Madani government to even use the KSN as its protective shield.
After all, they recounted that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had in fact instigated civil servants to take to the streets to protest against injustice inflicted on him, notably his sacking as deputy PM following which the Reformasi movement was born.
After all. Saturday is an off day to most civil servants, henceforth it is their right to decide what they wish to do during their spare time so long as their action does not disrupt their workflow.
Therefore, Shamsul's directive is deemed as both 'army twisting method and double standard'. As a learned commenter put it, the KSU cannot deny the basic rights and freedom of all citizens as enshrined in the Federal Constitution, namely the right to free speech and the right to assemble and association.
'(The) KSU is clearly fear mongering and threatening civil servants,' he attested.
As a commenter aptly pointed out, the Madani government has nothing to fear if it is doing a good job 'unless this Madani (government) is so unstable that it feared that the opposition might influence their (civil servants) support towards this government'.
Another contended that 'a democracy would not order such a thing but civil servants can be reminded that action can be taken against them if their behaviour during such a rally led to arrest and/or detention'.
In fact, a commenter opined that civil servants are duty-bound 'to speak out if the government is harming the country'.
The bottom-line as one commenter noted, 'public sector workers will STILL go to work tomorrow if the government falls or a new government comes in'.
As 'they work for the country, the King and not a POLITICAL PARTY', he urged PMX 'not to be arrogant but to understand hardship of sorts the rakyst are experiencing from Perlis to Sabah'. – July 21, 2025
Editor's Note: A recent Utusan Malaysia report citing Perikatan Nasional (PN) Youth Chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden has estimated a turnout of 300,000 (up from 50,000) at the 'Turun Anwar' rally slated to be held at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur this Saturday (July 26).
This is in stark contrast to Kuala Lumpur Acting Police Chief Datuk Mohamed Usuf Jan Mohamad who previously expected 10,000 to 15,000 people to attend.
He nevertheless confirmed that the organisers have informed the Dang Wangi district police headquarters about the rally following which some 2,000 officers and personnel will be deployed to ensure the rally runs smoothly and to safeguard the participants and the public.
Main image credit: Utusan Malaysia
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
44 minutes ago
- Barnama
MADANI Communities To Receive Further Details Within 24 Hours After Announcements
MELAKA, July 26 (Bernama) -- The MADANI Community nationwide will receive further details related to any announcement within 24 hours after it is made, says Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. He said the measure was to deliver accurate information directly to the grassroots in each locality. 'For technical matters, it may be difficult, but we want the MADANI Community to get the simplest explanation,' he said at the 2025 Peninsular Malaysia MADANI Community Retreat held in conjunction with the launch of the National Month and Fly the Jalur Gemilang 2025 at Mini Stadium Bistari, Ayer Keroh here tonight. The retreat, attended by around 2,300 participants from 1,406 MADANI Communities, was also joined by Melaka Science, Technology, Innovation and Digital Communication Committee chairman Datuk Fairul Nizam Roslan. Also present were Senior Division Secretary (Management) of the Ministry of Communications, Mazlan Abd Mutalib, and Information Department director-general Julina Johan. Meanwhile, Fahmi said among the major announcements to be made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) on July 31. He said the tabling of a Malaysia Plan usually involved highly technical details related to the country's physical development, such as the construction of hospitals and schools. 'But within 24 hours, the MADANI Community will receive simplified explanations and breakdowns so that they can communicate the information in an easy-to-understand way to their respective communities. 'So this will be a new thing, because I want the MADANI Community to grasp and absorb any government announcement quickly,' he said.
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Madani legal reform gains momentum with key bills and motions passed
KUALA LUMPUR: The Madani government's legal and institutional reform agenda continues to gain momentum, with five bills and two key motions passed in the first week of the Dewan Rakyat sitting. It included amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 and the introduction of community service penalties for minor littering offences. The Whistleblower Protection (Amendment) Bill 2025, drafted to expand protection for whistleblowers and strengthen mechanisms for reporting misconduct, was passed by a majority voice vote following debate by 24 members of parliament. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, who tabled the Bill, reaffirmed the government's commitment to enhancing whistleblower protection as part of its anti-corruption efforts and drive to improve public and private sector integrity. She said that although the Act has been in force for over a decade, it still contains weaknesses that need to be addressed. Also drawing attention during this week's Dewan Rakyat proceedings were the passage of the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2025, and the Streets, Drainage and Building (Amendment) Bill 2025, aimed at improving public cleanliness. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the amendments seek to address the issue of minor littering, including cigarette butts, tissues, plastic, drink cans, and food wrappers, in public spaces and roads by introducing community service orders as an additional penalty to existing fines. Nga said the move is crucial to instill civic responsibility, raise public awareness and cultivate a culture of cleanliness, ultimately contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable Malaysia for the well-being of its people. Also passed was the Consumer Credit (Finance) Bill 2025, which was formulated to address significant gaps in the currently unregulated sector, particularly among businesses targeting vulnerable credit consumers who are susceptible to exploitation. This week's sitting also saw the tabling of four bills for first reading, the Poisons (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Compulsory Attendance of Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2025, and the Fees (Pengkalan Kubor Ferry) (Validation) Bill 2025. In addition, the Dewan Rakyat approved two motions: the Auditor-General's Report (LKAN) 2/2025 on the Activities of Federal Ministries, Departments, Statutory Bodies and Government-linked Companies; and the 2023 Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam). The approval of both motions reflects the Madani government's commitment to transparency and accountability in ensuring sound public financial governance and respect for human rights, thereby reinforcing public confidence in government institutions through transparent reporting and comprehensive auditing. Several MPs who participated in the debate on the LKAN 2/2025 commended the government's openness in tabling the report, describing it as a progressive step that allows elected representatives to scrutinise audit findings and propose constructive improvements. Separately, Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the tabling and debate of Suhakam's Annual Report marked an important democratic tradition, as it provides a platform for MPs to review the state of human rights in the country and propose policy and implementation reforms. Also drawing attention this week was Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's firm stance on Malaysia's unchanged position regarding the situation in Gaza and the wider Middle East, including Iran. During Minister's Question Time, Anwar reaffirmed that Malaysia's position remains steadfast, even in the face of potential pressure or objections from the United States during ongoing tariff negotiations, which are expected to continue through August. The Second Meeting of the Fourth Session of the 15th Parliament will continue for 24 days until Aug 28. – Bernama
Barnama
2 hours ago
- Barnama
Fahmi Engages Over 2,300 Madani Community Members In Melaka Gathering
MELAKA, July 26 (Bernama) -- Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil engaged with over 2,300 members of the MADANI Community from across Peninsular Malaysia during the MADANI Community Gathering Programme held at the Mini Stadium Bistari in Ayer Keroh here tonight. The Media and Publicity Committee for National Day and Malaysia Day 2025 said the programme, organised by the Information Department (JaPen), involved 1,407 MADANI Community members from all over Peninsular Malaysia as well as six specially invited groups from the Federal Territory of Labuan. 'The gathering aims to strengthen understanding among MADANI Community members regarding the government's policies, initiatives, direction, and strategies.
