Analysis Anwar S Surprising Choice Of New Civil Service Head Sends Political Message But Will It Backfire

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Among senior civil servants and politicians, Mr Anwar’s latest gambit is stirring a quiet but serious debate, with fears of a potential backlash from top level civil servants long accustomed to promotions based on seniority and political ties.
(CNA) – Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has consolidated his grip over the country’s once-unruly political landscape and brought fresh direction to the economy after a bumpy 21-month ride as premier. Now, in a high-risk gambit, he is taking aim at reforming the country’s powerful civil service.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim made a surprise appointment last week of a relatively dark-horse candidate for the position of Chief Secretary to the Government, a move that has stirred unease among the upper crust of the country’s civil service and delivered a clear signal that serious reforms in the public sector are underway.
Mr Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, a low-profile civil servant who has played a key behind-the-scenes role as the government’s leading negotiator in the country’s privatisation programme of state firms and national services, has been appointed to the highest position in the country’s powerful civil service.
Mr Shamsul, who took office on Monday (August 12), leapfrogged over 20 other candidates with higher seniority over him and other front-runners, who were recommended for the position to Mr Anwar by the outgoing chief secretary, Mr Mohd Zuki Ali, senior administration officials and sources in the premier’s inner political circle told CNA on condition of anonymity because of the sensitiveness of the matter.
Mr Shamsul previously served as the Director-General of the government Public-Private Partnership Unit, a central agency under the Prime Minister’s Office to facilitate strategic partnership between the public and private sectors.
Mr Shamsul, who has also worked closely with the Finance Ministry, which Mr Anwar also heads, was personally handpicked by the premier for several reasons. Apart from his probity as a civil servant, Mr Shamsul was picked because the premier wanted to ensure continuity in the leadership of the civil service, those in Mr Anwar’s inner circle noted.
Aged 55, Mr Shamsul will have five years to helm the public sector before he retires at the age of 60.
 
WINGMAN 
The surprise promotion of Mr Shamsul, who is a native of the central Pahang state, to the highest rank in government has, so far, received scant local media attention and public discussion other than the generic press reports.
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