APPRECIATION: Najib (centre) presents a certificate to Omar in appreciation of his service while Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem looks on. — Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has again emphasised that the government under his leadership does not adopt the populist approach in the administration but always endeavoured to expand the national economy.
He said the government must ensure that the national revenue continued to increase and grow before deciding to make ‘sweet promises’ to the people.
“I believe all of you are aware of this reality. That is why we administer the country in a prudent manner, our way is not the populist way.
“I can become a Prime Minister that stands on the populist platform, but this way, I will destroy the future of our beloved nation,” he said when opening the 26th triennial convention of the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs), here yesterday.
Also present were the Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa, Director-General of Public Service Tan Sri Mohamad Zabidi Zainal and Cuepacs president Datuk Omar Osman.
Najib said the government would always ensure that every disbursement of fund would be done wisely so that the management expenditure would not exceed the country’s revenue.
He said this was to prevent the government from having to take up loans to run the country, including to pay the salaries of civil servants, as it would not only affect the country’s economy, but would also be a recipe for major destruction.
Hence, Najib said the people, especially civil servants, should not fall too easily for promises made by certain quarters about the country’s debt or fuel price reduction, as these quarters could not even give proper explanation on where and how they would get the money to get it done.
Meanwhile, the prime minister also called on civil servants to treat the people well because as the backbone of the public service, their action would influence the people’s perception on the government.
“If civil servants are good, friendly and courteous, while at the same time efficient and firm, the public perception and confidence in the government will improve,” he said.
Commenting on Omar’s retirement, Najib said dealing with the Cuepacs president was a pleasure because all issues concerning the public service and civil servants would be discussed and resolved in a cordial way.
“I’m happy working with him, he never staged a demonstration or confrontation even when it involved a very hot topic … and as a loyal partner of the government, I’m honouring him as the president who is liked by the government,” he said.
Omar, 62, decided to retire and ended his tenure as Cuepacs president yesterday after leading the congress for seven years.
He said the good relations between Cuepacs and the government had enabled him to create several success stories that had brought about positive impact and benefits to civil servants.
The successes include getting salary increment of up to 25 per cent for civil servants when Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was the prime minister, extending the compulsory retirement age to 60, and scrapping the New Public Service Remuneration System, he said.
Omar also expressed his gratitude and appreciation to Najib, the Chief Secretary to the Government and the Public Service Director-General, as well as all public service directors and staff for their cooperation during his tenure. — Bernama