For some time now, some Ministers in the Cabinet of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad have spoken publicly on the existence of a ‘deep state’.
They argued it was a powerful entity that is sabotaging the works of the Pakatan Harapan government, including blocking attempts at reform within the civil service.
Yesterday in Langkawi, Dr Mahathir said he will seek information over allegations of the existence of the “deep state”.
He told reporters the ‘parallel’ entity is allegedly trying to sabotage the administration of the Pakatan Harapan government and it is a movement that is active among civil servants.
He also said he will seek information on the existence and activities of the group.
In April, Foreign Affairs Minister Saifuddin Abdullah alluded to the deep state in Malaysia saying it is out to undermine the Pakatan Harapan government.
According to him, the deep state wanted to remove the new government through undemocratic means.
He referred to them as a “state within a state” pursuing its agenda outside the national political leadership.
But Dr Mahathir said the Pakatan government was capable of handling it if it was indeed taking place.
“I don’t know if it is taking place but if a hidden state exists, I think we can contain it. Prior to this, there were a lot of problems when I was prime minister, but we could continue to administer…I will deal with it, I will view and study the matter first,” he said.
Recently, the Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Ministry secretary-general Mohd Sallehhuddin Hassan got transferred from the Agriculture and Agro-Based ministry.
The media wanted to know if that happened because of the hidden hands of the deep state.
The PM says he was not sure and would seek information on the matter.
When the Pakatan Harapan was in the opposition, it campaigned against what it calls a ‘bloated’ civil service.
After 61 years in power, it is not surprising that the civil service is filled with pro-Barisan Nasional elements, said an observer. -/TISG