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Get rid of the Little Napoleons before it is too late for Malaysia
PMX - sack all underperforming Little Napoleons before it’s too late
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 27, 2024: Malaysia’s 10th Prime Minister (PMX) Anwar Ibrahim would do well to heed calls to rid the civil service and his Cabinet members who are deemed incompetent and underperforming.
In his own words, Anwar had said the education system had failed Malaysia, so start by sacking his Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.
She is not going to get Malaysia’s education system anywhere with her mentality - supporting the promotion of violence and use of firearms in schools to pupils.
No News Is Bad News reproduces below a Finance Twitter report, reposted by The Coverage, on getting rid of Little Napoleons in the civil service and a New Straits Times report on the same issue plus a definition on Little Napoleons:
The Coverage/News/We Should Support GPS Tiong To Sack Ammar Who Doesn’t Perform – Dares To Demote Untouchable Tourism Malaysia DG
We Should Support GPS Tiong To Sack Ammar Who Doesn’t Perform – Dares To Demote Untouchable Tourism Malaysia DG
26 February, 2024
With 35 years experience under his belt in the public service, Dr Ammar Abdul Ghapar was one of Malaysia’s 1.7 million lucky bloated civil servants. Untouchable due to his skin colour, he was promoted as the new director general of Tourism Malaysia on April 12, 2023. But he mistook his promotion as recognition of his talent and brilliance. The little Napoleon soon became big-headed.
When the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture – Tiong King Sing – suddenly terminated his service in a letter dated February 22, 2024, removing him effective February 26, he was shocked, angry and humiliated. Never in the history of the Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board had its director-general been removed in such a fashion. How dare Tiong removed him, supposedly an untouchable Malay?
Backing Ammar was Sri Ganesh Michiel, the clueless secretary-general of the Malaysian Tourism Federation (MTF) who demanded an explanation for the termination. Sri Ganesh argued that Ammar was a highly experienced industry professional with 36-year experience. Ammar shed crocodile tears, pretended to be lost about his termination, leading to rumours that he had been fired.
The termination letter went viral on social media, sparking another round of racist issue in a country that has seen the rise of extremism and racism. Opposition Perikatan Nasional, banking on Malay nationalism and Islamic radicalization for votes, appears to suggest that the fiasco was due to the major group Malay being bullied by the minority ethnic Chinese.
But Mr Tiong did not care about his subordinate’s skin colour. In fact, the minister was well prepared to spill the beans. As it turned out, director-general of Tourism Malaysia was not sacked, but merely demoted. And the reason he was demoted to deputy director-general (planning division) was due to his underperformance. The best part was Tiong managed to spare some time insulting Ammar’s qualifications.
The Minister of Tourism told media – “Since he couldn’t perform well, I decided that whoever is capable should take on the role, and if someone is incapable, step down to give others an opportunity. I don’t know if he lacked ideas or was unsure how to implement them. But if one cannot deliver results, a change is necessary. I didn’t terminate his employment; I simply reassigned him.”
Insulting Ammar’s over-rated qualification, Tiong said – “When the former director-general retired (Zainuddin Abdul Wahab), Ammar was not the ministry’s top suggestion. Still, I gave him an opportunity due to his PhD in tourism. Unfortunately, his performance did not reflect the qualifications of a PhD. This has nothing to do with race or religion. Let’s not play around with issues of race and religion.”
Graduated with a Doctorate of Philosophy in Hotel and Tourism Management and a Master of Business Administration from Universiti Teknologi MARA, Dr Ammar should be ashamed that he has given a bad name to his alma mater. Like it or not, it also speaks volumes about the quality of the university, which ranked #555 in QS World University Rankings 2024.
To justify how he had lost hope in the director-general, Tiong said that both he and his deputy, Khairul Firdaus Akhbar Khan, provided extensive advice to Ammar and sought input from him. However, like most civil servants infamous for inefficiency, low productivity, yet arrogant, the chief of Tourism Malaysia ignored all the advice and instruction as he thought he knew best.
Ammar’s defiance and lack of engagement with respective stakeholders to aggressively boost tourism was the last straw that broke the camel’s back. Tiong said – “Thailand can get 10 million tourists annually from China alone. We only receive 2 million Chinese tourists at most. I set a target of 5 million Chinese tourists, but he deemed it impractical and proposed lowering the target to 3 million.”
However, only 1.5 million Chinese visitors were recorded last year, meeting just half of the newly demoted Tourism Malaysia director-general’s own target. As a result, Tiong King Sing could not wait till Ammar’s retirement in March 2025 to terminate him. If indeed the tourism minister had wrongly or discriminately cut short his service, Ammar should have sued Tiong.
Instead, Ammar said – “I have no intention of going against any directive or instructions given to me, but I feel very frustrated and sad. I think that after serving for 36 years, I should not be treated this way”. Clearly, he believes that he should be allowed to keep his cushy job till his retirement as traditionally practiced by the incompetent Malaysian government, even though it means wasting taxpayers’ money on non-performing officials.
Despite the opposition’s attempt to politicise the issue using racial and religious cards, Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali admits that the Minister of Tourism has the power and authority to hire and fire because the Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board is just another division under the ministry. Even Ammar’s colleagues on the board of directors of Tourism Malaysia supported his termination.
Despicable Dr Ammar Abdul Ghapar should be grateful that his boss did not sack him. Unlike Chinese ministers from Malaya (West Malaysia), who would think thrice about criticising useless and clueless senior government servants (more than 95% are Malays), let alone terminating their service, Tiong King Sing is from Borneo Sarawak (East Malaysia).
Arguably, Tiong is the only minister of Chinese ethnicity who dares to call a spade a spade. A member of GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak), the largest ruling party in Sarawak that holds the trump card in Anwar-led Unity Government, he does not need to appease anyone. Extremely rich, the 62-year-old politician and businessman is a classic example of a competent lawmaker desperately needed in the country.
To be effective and efficient, he shows Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, whose bloated cabinet has been expanded to 60 ministers and deputies after a reshuffle in December 2023, how the civil servants should be dealt with if they do not perform. Instead of pussyfooting and rewarding everyone just to become popular, including dead wood, the prime minister should learn from Mr Tiong.
The termination of Mr Ammar reflects a Chinese proverb – kill one to warn a hundred – that basically means to punish an individual as an example to others. Like the jailing of crooked former Prime Minister Najib Razak, the demotion of the director-general of Tourism Malaysia will set an example to the civil service that they are not untouchable, and can be punished if they sleep on the job.
Not only the speed of the job termination, which caught the little Napoleon with his pants down, is both admirable and inspiring, the decisiveness of the minister is precisely what investors – both foreign and domestic – have been looking for in the Anwar administration. The PM should decisively do what is necessary to reform the ailing country from decades-old structural problems.
Accountability and meritocracy are some of the missing pieces in the government and civil service, which led to widespread corruption and inferior standard. Instead of being held ransom by the underperforming civil servants, the government should terminate anyone who refuses to work together and promote those who can contribute to the country. Obviously, Ammar isn’t the only director-general who was paid without doing work.
Tiong King Sing is the same badass minister who rushed to the KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport) in June 2023 in an attempt to help a traveller from China. Initially, he was reportedly barged into the restricted zone without a permit to free a Chinese national – a personal assistant of a senior official of a Chinese government-owned TV station who had arrived in Malaysia to pursue her PhD at a local university.
As it turned out, not only all Cabinet members have security passes which allow them to enter restricted areas at the KLIA, but the pro-active action of the tourism minister had exposed how the notorious immigration department solicited bribery in broad daylight. It was not true that he had breached security protocols, let alone bullied the immigration into freeing the Chinese traveller.
It was a standard modus operandi by the corrupt Immigration Department to solicit money from foreign travellers. In order to gain entry, a “three-star” ranking immigration officer demanded RM3,000 bribes from the Chinese woman. Stunningly, the female tourist was also asked an additional RM3,000 if she wanted to return to the country of origin or re-enter Malaysia using a “special lane”, and RM12,000 for visa-processing fees.
She needs to pay a whopping RM18,000 to gain entry into Malaysia as well as to return to China, without which she could be detained indefinitely – an intimidation and bullying tactic. Not only corruption had been committed, the cellphones of the women were seized by the immigration officers. Hilariously, after caught with its pants down, the immigration officers told Minister Tiong that the matter was a misunderstanding due to language barrier.
Rather than keeping quiet in order not to spook Malay voters, PM Anwar should decisively capitalize on the demotion of Ammar to promote accountability, efficiency, meritocracy and competency among the civil servants.
Source : Finance Twitter
"Little Napoleons" in government departments could hinder progress in Sabah, warns Kitingan
By Paul Mu - June 19, 2023 @ 12:35pm
State Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan has expressed concern over the presence of 'Little Napoleons' within government departments in Sabah.
KOTA KINABALU: State Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan has expressed concern over the presence of 'Little Napoleons' within government departments in Sabah.
He warned that their unchecked power could hinder progress and obstruct the implementation of Sabah Maju Jaya initiatives.
"The presence of these Little Napoleons are concerning.
"They abuse their power by enforcing regulations excessively and sometimes engage in activities that inadvertently discourage potential investors," said Kitingan.
"Such behaviour can significantly curtail opportunities crucial for Sabah's advancement," he said.
Kitingan expressed unequivocal support for Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor's stance on the issue.
Hajiji had warned that stern action would be taken against any department head in Sabah found obstructing investors from coming into the state.
"I am closely monitoring the situation, and if this behaviour persists, I will not hesitate to take drastic action," said Hajiji during an event in Tuaran recently.
"It's critical for those in authoritative positions to encourage rather than stifle investments in Sabah.
"These investments are pivotal for our economic development and job creation," said Kitingan who is also state Agriculture Fisheries and Food Industry Minister.
He emphasised the need for government officers, particular those in power to uphold the highest standards of integrity and ethics.
"We must ensure Sabah's reputation remains untarnished and appealing to investors," he asserted.
"Our government is committed to welcoming investors with open arms, without bureaucratic hindrances," he said.
Kitingan urged department heads and government officials to adopt the government's investment-friendly approach and collectively foster an environment conducive to Sabah's economic growth and prosperity.
He stressed that betrayals of trust would not be tolerated and committed to collaborating with the Chief Minister to establish Sabah as a reliable and enticing investment destination. - NST
The Emergence of Little Napoleon
Little Napoleon is a term often used to describe individuals in civil service or government who exhibit authoritarian and controlling behaviour , reminiscent of the famous Napoleon Bonaparte. Here are some common problems associated with such individuals:
What we should do to address the problems associated with Little Napoleons in the civil service and government:
Inefficiency and Waste: Little Napoleons’ obsession with control can result in the misallocation of resources, as decisions may be driven by personal preferences rather than data-driven analysis. This inefficiency can lead to waste of taxpayer money and resources.
Communication Breakdown: Their authoritative style often leads to poor communication within the organisation. Vital information may not flow freely, and crucial updates might be delayed or withheld, hampering effective teamwork.
Decline in Morale and Productivity: Employees working under Little Napoleons may suffer from low morale and reduced productivity. Constant scrutiny and fear of reprisals can make it challenging for employees to perform at their best.
Negative Public Perception: The behaviour of Little Napoleons can tarnish the public’s perception of the government or civil service. This negative image can erode trust in public institutions and lead to decreased citizen engagement.
Lack of Innovation: Little Napoleons often resist innovative ideas that challenge the existing hierarchy or status quo. This resistance to change can hinder the adoption of new technologies and approaches that could improve service delivery.
Nepotism and Cronyism: Some Little Napoleons may engage in nepotism, favouring family members or close friends for positions of power or influence. This nepotism can lead to unqualified individuals holding critical roles.
Legal Challenges: Their authoritarian behaviour can lead to legal challenges, such as allegations of workplace harassment or discrimination. These legal issues can be costly and damaging to an organisation’s reputation.
Stifled Diversity: Little Napoleons may be resistant to diversity and inclusion efforts, perpetuating a homogenous workforce that lacks the perspectives needed to address complex societal issues.
Lack of Accountability: Their unchecked power can result in a lack of accountability within the organisation. This can extend to financial mismanagement, corruption, and other unethical practices.
To combat these issues, organisations should prioritise leadership training and development, fostering a culture of transparency and accountability, and implementing checks and balances within the hierarchy. Encouraging feedback from employees and creating avenues for reporting misconduct are essential steps toward addressing the problems associated with Little Napoleons in the civil service and government. Ultimately, a shift towards a more collaborative, open, and accountable leadership style is necessary for the health and effectiveness of these institutions.
Little Napoleon behavior in civil servants can be observed in third-world countries as well. Here are some examples of such behavior:
Excessive Bureaucracy: Little Napoleons in government offices may create unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles, demanding excessive paperwork and approvals for even the simplest tasks, which can be frustrating and time-consuming for citizens.
Corruption and Bribery: Some civil servants with authoritarian tendencies may exploit their positions for personal gain, engaging in corrupt practices and demanding bribes for providing essential services or approvals.
Abuse of Power: Little Napoleons may abuse their authority by intimidating or harassing citizens who question their actions or request information. They may threaten legal action or use their influence to suppress dissent.
Favouritism : These civil servants may show favouritism. by prioritising requests or services for individuals who have personal connections or are willing to pay extra, rather than following fair and transparent procedures.
Inefficiency: Little Napoleons may lack motivation to work efficiently and may intentionally delay processing requests or paperwork, causing frustration and unnecessary delays for citizens.
Resistance to Change: They often resist modernization efforts and technology adoption, preferring traditional, paper-based systems that maintain their control over processes.
Lack of Accountability: Little Napoleons may avoid accountability for their actions, passing the blame onto others or avoiding consequences for their mistakes.
Nepotism: Some civil servants may engage in nepotism, hiring or promoting family members or close associates regardless of their qualifications, which can lead to unqualified individuals holding important positions.
Secrecy: They may keep information related to government activities shrouded in secrecy, limiting transparency and preventing citizens from accessing crucial information.
Hostile Work Environment: Little Napoleons can create hostile work environments for their subordinates, using intimidation, favoritism, or threats to maintain control over their staff.
Ignoring Public Feedback: They may dismiss or ignore feedback from citizens, civil society organizations, or other government agencies, stifling opportunities for improvement and reform.
Failure to Deliver Services: In some cases, these civil servants may fail to provide essential public services or delay assistance, leaving citizens without access to healthcare, education, or other critical services.
Manipulating Elections: In more extreme cases, Little Napoleons may manipulate elections or engage in voter suppression to maintain their power and control over government institutions.
Addressing these behaviours often requires comprehensive efforts to improve governance, increase transparency, and foster a culture of accountability within government agencies. It also involves empowering citizens through education and advocacy to hold civil servants accountable for their actions and demand better service delivery.
Most importantly, the government should not fear of losing popular support or even succumbing to hidden black mails of losing political support cannot be the reason to fail again in resetting our national standards of efficiency, effectiveness and prompt productivity.
It is time to give the marching order to either shape up or ship out.
Fear of losing popular support or even succumbing to hidden black mails of losing political support cannot be the reason to fail again in resetting our national standards of efficiency, effectiveness and prompt productivity.
In a highly competitive global investment marketplace where technology is racing at unprecedented pace, time and ease of doing business are categorical prerequisites.
It is time therefore that we marshalled our courage to put an end to failing, falling dereliction of duties.
If the citizens truly love the nation, then they must have the strength to dispense the bitter medicine that can purge the civil service of little Napoleons and unproductive, unmotivated, lethargic and uncommitted civil servants.
For the Right-thinking citizens, they will understand the frustration felt by their leader who was told by prospective business leaders, for example in New York that business approvals are being delayed too long (and unreasonably for certain) ASEAN countries.
Indeed, what this reflects is the long-buried fact that civil servants – and especially the many little Napoleons – are ruining all the good work of a new government.
It can be very painful for any leader of a nation to be told the truth as to why businesses are not keen to come to invest.
In this age and time, third world and developing nations – especially our immediate neighbours – know too well that speed and ease of doing business are pivotal considerations. - Medium
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