The two "Ns", the Judiciary, Civil Service and PMX.

Selamat Pagi Malaysia.

The rot within the Civil Service set in from the mid-1980s when the civil service was politicized after Tun Salleh Abas's removal, and subsequently, we had Hamid Omar, Eusoff Chin, and Fairuz, all unworthy successors to Tun Salleh.

Hamid Omar participated in the removal of Salleh Abbas, and subsequently replaced him. He played a pivotal role in the ensuing judicial crisis, which caused three good judges to be removed from office on frivolous charges. The decline of the judiciary's integrity can be traced back to his tenure.

Eusoff Chin was head of the Judiciary, but what was he doing with Lawyer Lingam in New Zealand and Italy and at the same time presiding in almost all Federal Court's cases involving the said Lingam as counsel? Only a mad Chief Justice would do that.

And Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim is a central figure in a royal commission of inquiry into a scandal over judicial appointments. He was named in open court as the man alleged to have discussed appointments in a 2001 phone call with a politically well-connected lawyer.

They, and others who pandered to the wishes of their political masters, have brought the judiciary into disrepute. With the judiciary compromised, we have had a politicized and polarized Civil Service for a long time. Those in the Judiciary and the Civil Service who served the whims and fancies of their political masters were elevated to more senior positions by their political masters in order that these political rogues will have their "orang kita" in the system of governance.

Meritocracy and productivity were marginalized in favor of officers falling in line, flattering their superiors, and being unduly obedient to rotten instructions. The Civil Service lived through these dark ages, and many career officers complied with such flawed orders from the top. Realistically, we cannot hope for an immediate change, like the kind now being demanded because the rot is too deep.

In truth, PMX has a civil service that he cannot rely on, and he has to work under these constraints and within these limitations.

Two issues have been dominating the Net these last few weeks. The two "N" - Nurul and Nazri.

Nurul may be a princess in her own right, but there is no denying that she is one of those good and clean politicians...and it must be said that there are a few around.

Nazri may be controversial, but he is better qualified to be an ambassador in DC than most current Wismaputra officers. We can't ignore that. Are all Foreign Service career officers, without exception, of such high caliber and integrity? I think not! The Foreign Service has been a politicized and polarized service for a long time because our political leaders have been more interested in holding on to political power at all costs - and when we have these kinds of leaders, there will others who will do their bidding to perpetuate the system of governance that I have mentioned above.

Enough of these two "Ns". Let us move on to more pressing matters that will affect our nation and our people....of which there are plenty. PMX "honeymoon" in government is well and truly over, and he now has to begin the task of delivering on the promises and the vision he enunciated before, during, and after PRU15 - Good governance, no corruption, meritocracy and at all times, the welfare of the people comes first. These values have already been tested, and it has to be said, that our PMX has been found wanting in some areas. This is to be expected from a Unity government where PMX would need to have consensus from all parties, to do government.

This unity government has the goodwill and the good wishes of the rakyat who wants PMX and the Unity government to do well. Let us hope that DSAI will get his priorities right, focus on the needful and work towards bringing all the people of Malaysia together - wherever Malaysians can be found.