I refer to the Malaysiakini report Why the disinterest in civil service?

The PSC can do whatever official study they want and I commend them for this.

But I think everyone knows, including the PSC, that the primary reason why non-Malays do not enter the civil service (especially during the last few decades of the Mahathir administration and before) is that the top post and the higher rungs of every government agency is monopolised by the Malays.

No matter how hardworking or capable a non-Malay is, the vast majority of these senior positions are simply just not open to non-Malays.

It is as if there is a big sign on the door which says ‘non-Malays need not apply’.

It is not because of the lower salary on offer compared to private sector jobs but because there are just no prospects of senior advancement in the civil service for the non-Malay.

No doubt there are many capable Malay civil servants but at the same time there is a lot of ‘deadwood’ occupying senior positions who are there merely because they are Malay and

have been in the service for donkey’s years and are just biding their time before retirement.

Even a Chinese who has committed her entire working life to PKNS (a state investment body only) can only temporarily occupy the top post and even that comes with so much objections.

So what of an important federal agency or government department? There is just no way and until the policy and mindset change, non-Malays will continue to shun the civil service.

Let's hope with the increasing number of applications from non-Malays, the situation may change for the better and merit and dedication will get their just rewards.