Shamed by association

New Straits Times Kuala Lumpur

Are the leaders of the military regime willing to risk complete isolation? Mahathir Mohamad's warning to the ruling junta of expulsion if it persists in its recalcitrance is a fair indication of the dire consequences awaiting it. The Prime Minister's statement on Sunday assumes greater importance, as it comes from an ally who walked the proverbial extra mile to bring Myanmar into ASEAN in 1997. The time may soon come for ASEAN to flex its muscles and prevent a member from becoming an embarrassment to the grouping.

Myanmar must recognize that it cannot renege on the commitment made six years ago to ensure that domestic policies would not affect the credibility of the larger forum that it joined. It was on this premise that Malaysia convinced fellow members to admit the regime into ASEAN in the face of strong opposition from Western countries.

ASEAN should not vacillate on punitive action if Myanmar refuses to desist from the campaign of repression against legitimate opposition. Its credibility will be jeopardized if it tolerates the increasingly illogical actions of a regime refusing to accept reality.

It is apparent that the junta cannot come to terms with the fact that its days may be numbered. It may have to learn the hard way that nations in the 21st century face ostracism to the detriment of their people if they refuse to adhere to the norms of civilized society.

Golf bogey Job security and pensions are two of the main attractions of the civil service compared to the private sector. Unfortunately, there are those who abuse this. There have been allegations that some civil servants conduct their private affairs during office hours using government facilities to do this. It is said there are civil servants who arrange property or other business deals, sell products and services, or run shops and other agencies, all during office hours. Some teachers, too, are more interested in their private tuition centers than their classes.

Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Samsudin Osman has reminded civil servants not to do anything unrelated to their work during office hours, such as going for a round of golf, conducting business or other unsanctioned activity.

The regulations are quite clear on this and he has said stern action will be taken against those who flout them, although he has yet to receive a complaint. However, Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman earlier disclosed that there had been complaints about senior civil servants playing golf during office hours. Being the more experienced officers, they should know better. In fact, they should set an example to their subordinates by making a clear demarcation between working hours and leisure hours.

Civil servants should not take job security for granted because disciplinary action can and will be taken, including dismissal for wrongdoing. Their security of tenure must not be allowed to extend to a lack of discipline and a wanton disregard of their own rules and regulations. The authorities must make swift examples of the worst of them.