Stop rehiring retired officials for senior positions, govt told

Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng says appointing a retired official as Election Commission chief may not fully address the need for a forward-thinking approach to electoral governance.

(FMT) – Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng has urged the government to end the practice of rehiring retired officials for senior positions, following Ramlan Harun’s appointment as the new Election Commission (EC) chairman.

Ramlan, who succeeded Abdul Ghani Salleh, has been in the civil service for more than 25 years, holding various posts including that of assistant director at the housing and local government ministry.

“While his impressive track record as a diligent senior government official is commendable, this decision raises questions about whether it is the best policy choice in the current political context,” Lim said.

In a statement, he said appointing a retired official to such a pivotal position might not fully address the need for a fresh and forward-thinking approach to electoral governance.

It could also discourage young officials or talented candidates from joining the civil service, he said.

“Young professionals might perceive limited career progression opportunities if top positions are frequently filled by retirees, leading to a potential brain drain,” Lim said.

He instead suggested appointing a serving official or an expert from a local university, saying such individuals would bring current, cutting-edge knowledge and a potentially less politicised perspective to the role.

He said hiring a serving official would also align with the broader aspirations of society for more inclusive and merit-based appointments in the public service.

Lim said appointing an expert from a local university could inject much-needed academic rigor and independent analysis into the EC’s operations.

He added that his or her involvement could help fortify the EC’s reputation as an impartial body committed to upholding democratic principles.

“It would signal a commitment to drawing on the best and brightest minds in the country to tackle the complex issues surrounding electoral integrity and public trust,” he said.

Ghani retired as EC chairman last month after four years at the helm.