Why are Minorities Under-Represented in the Civil Service?

Statistics from the Prime Minister's Department confirm that minorities are underrepresented in the civil service. According to data released by the Special Functions Minister as of July 5, 79.02 percent of civil servants - not including the police and military forces - ranked Grade 56 and below are Malays.

Natives of Sabah and Sarawak each made up five percent of the civil service, respectively, followed by the Orang Asli from Peninsular Malaysia. Collectively, bumiputeras made up 89.23 percent of civil servants who are Grade 56 and below. This is disproportionately higher than the 69.6 percent estimate of the bumiputera population reported by the Population and Housing Census 2020.

Malay civil servants who are ranked Grade 56 and below were disproportionately higher when compared to the census results, which showed that this ethnic group made up 57.11 percent of citizens.

Natives of Sabah are underrepresented in this category of civil service because they make up only five percent, although their numbers in Sabah alone accounted for 6.7 percent of all citizens.

Natives of Sarawak, however, are likely to be Over-represented. Their population in Sarawak only accounted for 1.9 percent of all citizens but made up five percent of civil servants with Grade 56 and below.

Civil service ethnic composition for Grade 56 and below as of

July 5, 2022

The proportion of Chinese and Indians in the "Jusa" range was higher than the lower ranks but still below the national level. The gap widens at the "Turus" range for minorities. There are 49 Malays occupying such positions but only five positions are held by minorities. There are no bumiputeras from East Malaysia nor Orang Asli holding "Turus" positions.

The “Turus" range is the highest attainable civil service position. Examples include ministry secretaries-general, ministry directors-general and department directors.

The Minister believes all civil servants are recruited based on merit and competency. And that there are no race-based quotas for recruitment and promotions. Isn’t this a fairy tale?

But why does this happen? Probably because of so-called “national security” – other races are “pendatang” and may not work for Malaysia’s interests? Then the politicians prefer a one race agenda for their constituents and support base? It provides employment for bumiputeras to the detriment of the nons? It provides a “safe” environment for the bumiputeras to perform on a mediocre basis – other races are too competitive? Whatever the reason, we are not getting the best for this country.

To be fair, in the private sector (excluding GLCs) it could be bumiputeras are under-represented. To move forward, the Government and the public service must set the tone for “Keluarga Malaysia” – and rectify racial imbalance to reflect Malaysia’s racial composition! Then the private sector will follow.

Reference:

How minorities are under-represented in the civil service, Malaysiakini, July 21, 2022