Bernama Editor-In-Chief (1) - PBA Holdings Bhd CEO (0)

Apparently the appointment of a non-Malay as the Editor-in-Chief of the Malaysian national news agency, Bernama, "showed that the government does not take into account race or religion of a person in the promotion of civil servants".

According to an article on Bernama, the non-Malay political leaders and captains of industry are falling over themselves to show their agreement.

I would caution against counting the chickens before they hatch.

Firstly, this is not an "additional" appointment. Actually, nothing has changed. To a layman like me, isn't the appointment of Yong Soo Heong as Bernama Editor-in-Chief simply an offset to the removal of Penang GLC, PBA Holdings Bhd (PBAHB) chief executive officer Datuk Liew Chook San?. Where is the big shift in sentiment that our non-Malay leaders are all so 'grateful' about?

Secondly, this is merely one out of thousands of top civil servant positions, all of which are paid for by the taxation of Malaysians of all races. So until I see more, many more examples of fairplay... forgive me if I don't gush with gratitude.

Appointment Of Non-Malay Editor-In-Chief Shows Race Not A Barrier
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news_lite.php?id=249276

KUALA LUMPUR, March 1 (Bernama) -- The appointment of a non-Malay as the Editor-in-Chief of the Malaysian national news agency, Bernama, showed that the government does not take into account race or religion of a person in the promotion of civil servants.

MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said the appointment of Yong Soo Heong as Bernama Editor-in-Chief was a good sign, reflecting that the government did not sideline a person in promotion because of his race or religion.

"For the first time in its long history, Bernama has appointed a Chinese as its Editor-in-Chief and this is good. It shows that race and religion would not in any way affect the promotion of non-Malays in the civil service.

"It shows that all civil servants are equal. If they are good, work hard and are efficient in performing their duties, nothing will stand in their way of obtaining a promotion," said Ong, who is also Housing and Local Government Minister.

On Tuesday, Bernama Chairman Datuk Mohd Annuar Zaini announced the promotion of Yong as the Editor-in-Chief, while Datuk Azman Ujang was named to the post of General Manager.

Yong, who holds a diploma in business journalism from the Centre for Foreign Journalists in Virginia, USA, joined Bernama as a cadet reporter in 1974. He was the agency's Economic Service editor from 2000 before his promotion to Bernama Economic Service executive editor on Aug 1, 2004.

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu in his reaction said the appointment of Yong revealed that non-Malays in the civil service also stood a chance in gaining promotions.

"The appointment shows that if you work hard you would be rewarded. There is no easy way of winning promotions in the civil service. If the person works and proves himself, then he would get promoted," said Samy Vellu, who is also the Works Minister.

He hoped that other government agencies would follow Bernama, by giving an opportunity for non-Malay staff to take-up important positions in their respective organisations.

Gerakan secretary general Datuk Chia Kwang Chye said the appointment of Yong and Azman heralded a new era for the agency and hoped that the team of two would take the agency to greater heights.

"It also shows that the government is sincere when it says that non-Malays would not be sidelined in promotion in the civil service.

"It would also be a lesson to other Chinese in the civil service that they too have a chance of getting promotions if they work hard and prove themselves," said Chia, who is also Deputy Information Minister.

The Federation of Chinese Associations of Malaysia honorary president Datuk Ng Teck Fong said that the Chinese community welcomed the appointment of Yong.

"This proves that the present government is more open.

"With the advent of globalisation, the government must be equal and fair to all races living in the country, especially in the civil service. We should focus on talent. The appointment also dispels talk that Malaysia practices a one race policy in the civil sector," he added.

President of the Federation of Chinese Guilds Malaysia Datuk Liew Poon Siak meanwhile said that the appointment was a good sign and a move in the right direction on the part of the government.

"It shows that the government can and will appoint other races, apart from Malays, to head a department or top management.

"We regard this as a boost to other Chinese civil servants, who have so far felt that they cannot reach top management level. It would also act as a catalyst for the other races in the civil service to work harder as they know their work would be rewarded," he added.

-- BERNAMA