Playing by the rules
New Straits Times (Columns)
16 Sep 2006

SOLIDARITY is a prerequisite of effective government. There can be no two ways about it. Leading members of the administration know this. They know it is required of them to speak with one collective voice at all times and present a united front to the people.

This requirement is not written in law, but convention holds that differences among those at the top level of government — ministers, deputy ministers and parliamentary secretaries — should be discussed only within the Cabinet.

The Cabinet directive barring a government officer from commenting on issues involving other ministries is in line with the principle of collective ministerial responsibility. Some have tried to push back the boundaries and the punishment has always been swift.

Whether Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat broke ranks to score political points or for other reasons, his statement has without doubt breached the rules of ministerial propriety.

The Cabinet let him off rather lightly with a reprimand. Deputy Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk S. Sothinathan was not so fortunate. Last June, he was suspended for three months for criticising the government over the de-recognition of the Crimea State Medical University by the Malaysian Medical Council.

Ong’s source of discontent, involving the supposed misuse of funds earmarked for several Chinese schools in Johor, could have been settled directly and quietly with his government colleague Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, behind closed doors.

But he chose another forum. And the audience he picked — teachers and board members of a Chinese school — seems to speak plainly of his motives.

We need a government, whose ministers and administrators are united and committed, to work for the good of the country. As it is, the government has more than its share of detractors; it could do without having to worry about loose cannons within its midst.

Some people may argue that there should be some leeway for parliamentary front-benchers, particularly deputy ministers and parliamentary secretaries, to voice the concerns of the people without having to toe the government line on every issue.

But the principle of collective responsibility is entrenched for a reason. Once there is a group decision, all must abide by it. While it is accepted that there may be disagreements on any number of issues, the fact remains that it will be morally wrong for one to stay in the team and yet speak out publicly against its decisions.

This will render the system chaotic and ineffective and make the government a laughing stock.