Unseen Power Of The Administrative State


 

The government in Malaysia is traditionally looked at through the political paradigm, which focuses upon the prime minister and Cabinet. The executive is praised or blamed for what the government does or doesn’t do.
However, such a frame critically underrates the power and influence of the bureaucracy in national governance. The bureaucracy is viewed somewhat like a “black box”, which implements the decisions of the executive.
This is far from the case.
The public services comprises a force of some 1.7 million, which includes the bureaucrats of the civil service and those in the education and health services, police, and military. One could also argue that those employed by government-linked companies are quasi-civil servants, as their employers are owned by the government.
Based on the 2024 budget, the administrative state will be paid RM95.6 billion in salaries this year, plus RM32.4 billion in pensions, making up 41.6% of total budget outlays. All government spending, and tax collection for that matter, occurs through the administrative state.
The GLCs, which extend the will and influence of government into the marketplace, account for 54% of capitalisation on Bursa Malaysia. This is a massive source of power over the sphere of government and economy.
Policy making
In addition, given that the bulk of policy development comes through the civil service to the executive, which usually turns their recommendations into policies, the administrative state is even more important.
The administrative state works in two directions: a major influence on society and the economy through making regulations, spending and collecting taxes; and providing the executive with policies.
These administrative state institutions are the most powerful piece of government today, and this is rarely studied in depth by academics and political analysts.
The reality is that prime ministers and Cabinet ministers clearly rely upon the administrative state when in office to run the government. The executive doesn’t necessarily drive the government; most of it is on auto-pilot with the administrative state doing all the work.
Some ministers have been better than others in understanding and working with the administrative state.
Ministers with little understanding of their portfolio, who lack in-depth knowledge or experience of how their ministry actually works, will face an uphill battle to manage their ministry.
Each ministry is a separate mini empire within the administrative state, where working and cooperation dynamics may differ substantially.
A separate world
If one looks deeply into the matter, it can become scary to realise that Malaysia, like most governments in the world, is actually run by faceless, unelected, and unaccountable people, far from the public view.
These anonymous bureaucrats occupy buildings around Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and other urban centres. They are unaccountable to the people.
The prime minister and Cabinet are not the only influencers upon the administrative state. GLCs have political appointees on their boards of management, who may have their own agendas.
The top people within the administrative state regularly brief the rulers. The administrative state talks horizontally within itself in ways that are not transparent to outsiders. It also has its own corporate culture. This is a powerful set of assumptions, beliefs, and values that guide the thinking of those within the administrative state.
The Malay agenda
One aspect of the administrative state’s corporate culture is the importance of the Malay agenda.
Many within the administrative state see themselves as protectors of Malay rights, which may override any potential directive given to them. Bureaucrats have their own way to sway, ignore, stall, or disrupt ministers, if the bureaucrats believe it necessary to do so.
Over the last few decades, some previous prime ministers have tried to interdict the corporate culture of the administrative state.
Under Dr Mahathir Mohamad, it was the quality movement. Then came the ISO certification drive. Balance scorecards, and the government transformation initiative undertaken by former prime minister Najib Razak was the latest back around 2012.
Unfortunately, this reform agenda got lost after 2018, when Pakatan Harapan came into power under Mahathir.
The Covid-19 pandemic probably strengthened the power of the administrative state, under a period of emergency rule. Muhyiddin Yassin expanded the size of the administrative state as he expanded the number of ministries.
The Ismail Sabri Yaakob government re-emphasised the Malay-centric agenda of the administrative state. Under Anwar Ibrahim, agencies and GLCs have emphasised more on economic policy.
Warped by local education
Perhaps the biggest influence upon the administrative state has been the local education system. Prior to the 1990s, most senior bureaucrats studied in the UK, US, or Australia, and returned with a solid grounding in various technical fields and public administration.
The post Merdeka baby-boomers had a deep sense of passion towards doing their bit to assist national development.
However, local graduates who are now climbing the ranks of government have been strongly influenced by the local education system, which provides them with a completely different outlook towards governance and public administration.
In addition, decision-making within the administrative state has become heavily politicised over the last couple of decades. Many now play the game to satisfy and please their superiors with a strong sense of power-distance between superior-subordinate relationships.
Vanishing technocrats
Technical expertise within committees most often gives way to political consensus decision making. Technocrats are quickly disappearing.
Just like everywhere else in the world, there is a swamp that needs to be drained to rid the administrative state of the politicisation and internal agendas that have crept in over the years.
These influences are swaying decision-making. It narrows the potential diversity of thinking that should be around the administrative state.
Past prime ministers have used the civil service with various objectives in mind. However, all of them knew major reforms were needed to bring the administrative state into the 21st century. The major barrier was how to do this without losing votes.
The big reform issue that needs attention today is reforming the country’s administrative apparatus. Discussion must go far beyond trimming it down. There must be a comprehensive plan of what the administrative state should look like in the future.
This won’t happen until the next generation of politicians takes the reins of power. However, will this next generation have the drive and passion to have concern about reform of the nation’s public administration? - FMT
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.


Artikel ini hanyalah simpanan cache dari url asal penulis yang berkebarangkalian sudah terlalu lama atau sudah dibuang :

http://malaysiansmustknowthetruth.blogspot.com/2024/07/unseen-power-of-administrative-state.html

Kempen Promosi dan Iklan
Kami memerlukan jasa baik anda untuk menyokong kempen pengiklanan dalam website kami. Serba sedikit anda telah membantu kami untuk mengekalkan servis percuma aggregating ini kepada semua.

Anda juga boleh memberikan sumbangan anda kepada kami dengan menghubungi kami di sini
The State Of The Nation Navigating Blackrock Zainul Arifin

The State Of The Nation Navigating Blackrock Zainul Arifin

papar berkaitan - pada 5/7/2024 - jumlah : 165 hits
This tournament of selective outrage does not help the Palestinian people WITHOUT a doubt we are horrified at what is happening in Gaza and the rest of the occupied territories of Palestine We can only imagine the pain and the anguish of ch...
World Air Power Mig41 The Game Changer

World Air Power Mig41 The Game Changer

papar berkaitan - pada 2/7/2024 - jumlah : 116 hits
Here is an eight minute video If you have time do watch This is the MIG41 Russia s newest game changer along with the SU 57 SU75 and the Okhotnik UCAV The MIG41 prototype will likely fly this year The plane is almost ready There is one main...
Maintaining Glacial Temperatures The Cooling Power Of Nordic Wave S Cold Plunge

Maintaining Glacial Temperatures The Cooling Power Of Nordic Wave S Cold Plunge

papar berkaitan - pada 2/7/2024 - jumlah : 122 hits
Cold plunges are an extremely popular and innovative method for achieving optimal health The benefits of cold water bathing are well documented from reducing inflammation and speeding up muscle recuperation to elevating the mood and overall...
Leadership 5 0 Navigating The Future Of Leadership In A Rapidly Changing World

Leadership 5 0 Navigating The Future Of Leadership In A Rapidly Changing World

papar berkaitan - pada 26/6/2024 - jumlah : 210 hits
Leadership 5 0 nbsp Leadership has come a long way from the traditional top down command and control style With each era it has evolved to meet the challenges of the times Today as we enter the era of Leadership 5 0 we find ourselves in a w...
Rafizi Govt Studying The Need For Ron95 Subsidy Rationalisation

Rafizi Govt Studying The Need For Ron95 Subsidy Rationalisation

papar berkaitan - pada 26/6/2024 - jumlah : 224 hits
THE government is studying the need to expand targeted subsidies to include RON95 petrol said Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli In a written parliamentary reply to Putrajaya MP Datuk Radzi Jidin Rafizi said while this is the case the government...
Leadership 4 0 Navigating The Digital Age With Vision And Adaptability

Leadership 4 0 Navigating The Digital Age With Vision And Adaptability

papar berkaitan - pada 26/6/2024 - jumlah : 178 hits
Leadership 4 0 nbsp The world of leadership is in constant flux evolving with each technological advancement and societal change In the 21st century the digital age has given rise to a new era of leadership known as Leadership 4 0 This era ...
Persidangan Tahunan Annual Meeting Of The New Champions

Persidangan Tahunan Annual Meeting Of The New Champions

papar berkaitan - pada 26/6/2024 - jumlah : 127 hits
Persidangan tahunan Annual Meeting of the New Champions kini sedang berlangsung di Dalian China yang menghimpunkan pemimpin pemimpin dunia dan korporat bagi membincangkan isu isu ekonomi global Untuk hari kedua persidangan saya akan menjadi...
Leadership 365 The Path To Year Round Excellence

Leadership 365 The Path To Year Round Excellence

papar berkaitan - pada 26/6/2024 - jumlah : 139 hits
Leadership 365 nbsp Leadership is not a one time event but an ongoing journey that requires commitment dedication and a continuous pursuit of growth and improvement To be an effective leader one must embrace the idea of Leadership 365 a phi...
Flexibility In Business Operations

Umno Youth To Protest Extra Hours For Civil Servants Working Shifts

The Difference In The Concept Of Illicit Relationship Between Muslims And Non Muslims

Pensyarah Didakwa Hina Nabi Jawi Turut Buka Siasatan

Biodata Hael Husaini 2 Kali Juara Ajl Dan Perjalanan Dalam Industri Seni

Pas Langkaui Retorik Dap Isytihar Pas Muuh Utama

Murid Buktikan Pada Guru Lembu Makan Martabak

Abang Adik Wins Best Film Award In Los Angeles


echo '';
Senarai Lagu Tugasan Konsert Minggu 1 Gegar Vaganza 2024 Musim 11

Info Dan Sinopsis Drama Berepisod Dhia Kasyrani Slot Akasia TV3

Biodata Terkini Reshmonu Peserta Gegar Vaganza 2024 Musim 11 GV11 Penyanyi Lagu Hey Waley

Gegar Vaganza 2024 GV 11 Hadiah Tiket Peserta Juri Format Pemarkahan Dan Segala Info Tonton Live Di Astro Ria Dan Sooka

6 Janji Donald Trump Kalau Dia Naik Jadi Presiden Semula


Football Online Sports Gambling 1xbet 1xbet Globa

Mesyuarat Mpsm Kulai Bil 3 2024

7 Keistimewaan Hari Arafah Hari Yang Dinantikan Jutaan Umat Islam

Generasi Milenial Dan Gen Z Dukung Nkri Nomor Urut 2 Simbol Harapan Baru Kalimantan Barat

Kempen Hartanah Bumiputera Matrix Miliki Rumah Selesa Cipta Kenangan Indah Bersama Keluarga

Bukan Semua Cendawan Boleh Makan Ada Yang Beracun