Anwar admits some Pakatan government reps lack humility

 SUBANG JAYA, Feb 21 ― Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim admitted today that he has observed a lack of humility in the attitudes of some state leaders in Pakatan Rakyat (PR) governments, despite their inexperience in running administrations.

The opposition leader reminded PR leaders the importance of being humble and learning to listen, saying this would come in handy should the opposition pact realise its dream of wresting federal power in Election 2013.

“Experience is important, yes. But if you lack the experience, you must have the humility to learn.

“I notice, even in PR governments... in the states... leaders at certain levels, they lack humility,” he said at the launch of PKR’s new think-tank Institut Rakyat at Empire Hotel here.

Anwar (picture) said this when responding to an observation from the audience that a majority of PR leaders, save for Anwar himself, lack government experience.

The member of the audience had also asked the PR de facto leader how it planned to run the federal government should it capture Putrajaya in the coming polls, pointing out that to date, the pact has only been churning out newly thought-up ideas that may not be so easily implemented immediately.

Anwar, in admitting to PR’s lack of administrative experience, said one of the best ways to ensure the transition process is smooth would be by listening to advice from the country’s civil servants.

The former deputy prime minister, whose government stint was rudely cut short in the late 1990s by a sodomy charge and six-year jail sentence, sang high praise for certain civil servants whom he had dealt with during his time.

He said PR leaders must understand the mechanics in running a government and the civil service, which was the backbone of any administration whether federal or state-level, could help them.

“Some [civil servants] have... I can see, they are adversely affected by all the corruption and abuse.

“But by and large, I would say, in my experience in six ministries, I’ve seen some really excellent, dedicated civil servants,” he said.

“More so when I was in the Ministry of Finance... remarkable, impeccable credentials.”

Anwar said that if PR’s administrators possess the right attitudes and are humble enough, they should take the time to learn and listen from the civil service.

He cited examples from his experience in the federal government, saying some civil servants would dare to privately approach him in his office to state their disapproval of certain Cabinet decisions.

“If you are like (former prime minister Tun Dr) Mahathir (Mohamad), then you would be asked to leave the office,” he said.

“But if you have the patience and humility... then you would say, okay, alright, I can adjust, or no, I disagree, or I will bring it to Cabinet.... at least you are willing to hear them out.”

Anwar said encouraging connectivity between the government, the civil service and the Malaysian public in general is important in ensuring that the administration is constantly kept on its toes.

“So for those who lack the experience, then they cannot lack humility,” he said.