BY: CHRISTOPHER FERNANDEZ

Is there such a thing as a ‘deep state’ within the Malaysian government? Or is it just a figment of imagination by journalists and writers and political analysts? While proof and evidence has to be extended, hitherto no investigations into this matter has been done.

But those who have a bone to pick against these allegations levelled at the Malaysian government are also shooting in the dark as their counter claims hold no validity and they are not able to dispute the theory of the existence of a deep state.

This leaves these allegations actually hanging in the air and to prove beyond any reasonable doubt there exists a deep state within the Malaysian government an independent panel of investigators have to go to the ground.

Since deep state operatives are believed to exist in every government ministry, department and agency, it is only fair and just to assemble a panel of qualified, credible experts from all sectors of society to conduct a thorough probe into the matter.

Who are these alleged deep state operatives?

While off hand this is hard to say, the information and intelligence gathering data from various sources indicate they are mostly made up of corrupt government personnel, and to a lesser extent, Malay racists and Islamic extremists.

But God forbid that sweeping statements and generalizations be made of the large majority of Malay-Muslims who are not part and parcel of the deep state and who are actually just a growing number of black sheep among them.

But suffice to say, these are the claims and allegations of those who point out the presence and existence of deep state operatives in government and also the ubiquitous ‘Little Napoleons’ who override the instructions and directives of their superiors.

Collectively, these are the deep state operatives and they may wear a skull cap and jubah or serban, but upon closer examination, they appear guilty of making a mockery of the Islamic faith and of democracy.

Are deep state operatives insulting Islam and democracy?

It appears to be so, as the Lembaga Tabung Haji financial scandal hits right into the core of Islamists who are hypocrites and evidently show absolutely no respect or regard for the Islamic faith, the ummah or faithful, and democracy.

But this scandal is just the tip of the iceberg apparently, as there are other Malay, Islamic and a loose spattering of organisations that also need to come under the scrutiny of law enforcement agencies for alleged atrocities and wrongdoings.

While all these allegations need to be scrutinised and judiciously solved, the havoc it has led to is to make a mockery of democracy and logically Malaysians can conclude that these deep state operatives are either a law unto themselves or above the law.

The very fact that the deep state operatives operate openly without any respect or fear or regard for the rule of law and the purview of His Majesty the King and the Malay Rulers goes clearly to show their insolence and arrogance.

Time for a government spring cleaning operation

There can be no mistaking the writing on the wall. It is definitely time for the Madani government to go through the acts and actions of all government personnel to bring about spring cleaning and a purging of those who are wayward and deadwood.

Government or civil servants of whatever rank and order must be screened and vetted to ensure they abide by the principles, tenets and obligations of a democracy or be shown the exit door or where necessary charge-sheeted for wrongdoings.

The government must leave no stone unturned in this spring cleaning exercise but rather rope in investigators from all sectors and segments of society to weed out those who are holding public office and are a nuisance.

Saying that these rogue government personnel are a nuisance is really an understatement as their thriving existence in government is to be blamed for dangerously low levels of productivity and inefficiency leading to the failure of the public delivery system.

**While Christopher Fernandez openly confesses there is no perfect system of governance in this world the Malaysian government however is lagging far behind First World Nations and he believes it is time to play catch up

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

(The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher)