KUALA LUMPUR: A former federal minister has hit out at Kedah Umno over its opposition to the government's initiative to boost the involvement of Chinese in the civil service.
"They are not helping the prime minister," said Datuk Zaid Ibrahim in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
He said the move to attract non-Malays into the civil service is welcomed and should have been done much earlier.
Zaid, who is an Umno member, said more diversity in the civil service will create a more competitive environment and work culture.
"There will be an overall improvement in the delivery system," he said adding it could also see better race relations being forged.
Kedah Umno information chief Datuk Shaiful Hazizy Zainol Abidin has spoken against the government's initiative, saying it could undermine the Bumiputera economy.
He said the civil service has served as a platform for Bumiputeras to compete on a stage of "fairness and equity".
Hazizy's remarks drew criticisms from Gerakan, DAP and MCA leaders, though Kedah Umno Youth has come to his defence.
Zaid said today that Umno was not doing enough to "spur change" in Anwar's government.
"They are still talking about issues of yesteryears. Umno must remove the blinkers and see the world for what it is."
On Saturday, a Chinese daily reported that the government will launch a campaign to encourage greater Chinese community participation in the public sector.
Political secretary to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Chan Ming Kai said that the campaign was conducted due to the low interest among the Chinese community in civil service roles.