NATIONAL SERVICE - CHANGING OF BATON

National Service Council Chairman, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye has finally handed over the chairmanship to Dato Dr. Tiki Lafe, a BN MP from Mas Gading, and a former Deputy Minister.

The question that I need to raise is why the change of chairmanship, when everyone acknowledges that Tan Sri Lee has done a superb job? Why give it to another politician who had lost his job (for reasons only known to the PM) as Deputy Minister? Is this a case similar to the appointment of Sahidan Kassim as the advisor to NCER, which received snide remarks from Tun Mahathir in his blog?

Many had asked me...why a politician for this job? Do you think he can do a better job than a non politician? Why not give the job to a retired senior government servant, who have gone through the mill,and have acquired lots of experience in managing organisations? There are a number of senior retired government servants who have done exceedingly well in large corporate organisations, and running the National Service Council is certainly no big deal.

The talk among many quarters is that, between a politician and a retired senior government servant, the latter if preferred for any job that requires managerial skills. They say, unlike politician, senior government servants are more dedicated, discipline and has less of self interest. I know of many retired senior government servants who are reemployed, and they command the highest respect by their employers. I cannot say much of politicians.

I hope my comments are taken in good spirit by those who read this, especially politicians. And do not for once assume that this article is aimed at putting Dato Dr. Titi Lafe in bad taste. What Dato Dr. Titi should do now is to prove me wrong, and certainly there are still many aspects of running the National Service, that can be further improved.

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION