THE longstanding practice of using support letters in Malaysian government dealings must be immediately halted and strictly regulated, warned Mohd Hafizul Ilmi Shuhaimi, President of Pertubuhan Pemuda Gema Malaysia.
He said the letters, often issued by political figures to advance projects or secure special treatment, undermine efforts to create a new culture of administrative integrity.
“If the government wants to build a culture of clean administration, the practice of issuing support letters cannot be used as a shortcut to obtain projects or preferential treatment,” Mohd Hafizul told reporters.
He stressed that support letters should be governed by clear guidelines defining what types of endorsements are permissible and what are not.
“Every support letter from a political officer to any government agency must be officially recorded. All letters should be entered into an auditable system and ideally reported on a regular basis,”Sinr Harian cited him saying.
Mohd Hafizul highlighted the urgent need to more clearly separate political roles from administrative functions to prevent undue interference.
“Political officers should focus on policy, ideas, and engagement with the public, not act as channels to lobby for projects or individual requests,” he said.
He added that appointments, contracts, and licence approvals must remain in the hands of professional systems.
Decisions should be transparent and competitive, conducted by trained officials rather than influenced by any political figure.
In addition, Mohd Hafizul called for stronger complaint mechanisms and whistleblower protections to safeguard civil servants.
“These mechanisms are essential because they signal that the government is serious about ensuring support letters do not become instruments of political pressure. We want to ensure ‘support’ does not turn into subtle directives or threats,” he said.
He also emphasised the importance of integrity education for all political officers, regardless of whether they are in government or opposition.
“Young people today want to see clear evidence that reform is not just a slogan. Systemic reform must be implemented thoroughly, irrespective of which party is in power.
“This is not about politics; it is about national integrity, and everyone must change,” he added.
The call comes amid ongoing concerns over transparency and governance in Malaysia, as civil society organisations continue to push for stricter accountability in government processes. - November 23, 2025
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