Dr. Waheed: There shouldn’t be political activists in civil service

Implementing government policy and exuding political influence into civil service are two different things. And it isn’t right for political activities to be assigned posts in civil service, said former Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hussain Manik on Wednesday.

Serving as chief guest of ceremony held at Dharubaaruge to inaugurate the 2nd Civil Service Conference, Waheed said that implementing government policy should be the main priority of civil service.

“However, there should not be any conflicts because of a person’s political belief. Implementing government policy and exuding political influence into civil service are two different things. I therefore believe it isn’t right for there to be political activists in civil service posts,” he said.

Waheed noted that it was the right of every individual to preserve his or her political belief, but that it was a problem if the political belief manifests itself into the person’s work life.

He said that a strong and efficient civil service was vital to giving birth to, and maintaining a democracy.

He said that he was confident services provided by civil service to Maldivian citizens would continue unruffled no matter how tremulous the political situation in the country may be.

“Today we should celebrate that services by civil service to citizens continue uninterrupted despite political upheaval in the country. We have that guarantee now. This is because government has done a lot for development of civil service,” said Waheed.

In his speech, Waheed noted the progress made by civil service from its inception.

He also noted that there was still work to be done to change the perception of people regarding civil service jobs.

He said that people needed to stop considering civil service jobs as transitional jobs, and consider them as serious career choices to serve the public.

“New recruits to civil service need to understand that every civil service post is a service – and a career path,” said Waheed.

He said that legal framework had been reformed to provide job stability and assurance – good news to anyone interested in serving the public.

He noted that it wasn’t just those elected by people who served the public, but that sustainable services to public can only be provided to public by working for it through civil service.

“We need for youth to serve the public. Service cannot be provided only by being elected to senior posts. In reality, sustainable services to public can only be provided by working for it through civil service,” said Waheed.