Perai assemblymen Ramasamy Palanisamy ( NOV 24,2022 ) — K.T.GOH/The Star
JOHOR BARU: Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim has urged the public to cut Penang Deputy Chief Minister Dr P. Ramasamy (pic) some slack for voicing his views about the dominance of Malays in the civil service.
The PKR MP said Ramasamy had the right to speak up about the reformation of the public sector, given that about 90% of the 1.2 million-strong civil service was made up of Malays.
"It is a fact that the percentage is quite huge and this was an issue to Ramasamy.
"But as a Malay myself, I do not feel threatened by what he said.
"I have known him quite well since his days as a university lecturer. He has good intentions when asking for reforms, not a revolution, of the public sector for a more fair and balanced Malaysia, in line with the Madani concept," he said on his Facebook on Sunday (Feb 12).
Hassan added that the DAP leader’s action of speaking for the non-Malay community should also be respected as Malaysia was made up of multiple races, cultures and religions.
"We should not call for the removal of his position just because he has the courage to voice his views.
"Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in this matter, should be commended as well for allowing Ramasamy to give his views," he added.
On Friday (Feb 10), the Penang deputy chief minister in a Facebook post called on the government to reform the civil service, saying the sector was now dominated by Malays.
He had also urged the Prime Minister to immediately deal with the issue and ensure that the public sector reflects the ethnic composition of this country.
In response, Anwar said the call would not be taken into consideration, as the government did not view the matter as an issue.
The proposal was only Ramasamy’s personal opinion and did not reflect that of DAP or the government, Anwar said, adding that people should not be stopped from speaking and giving opinions.
