Business as usual for civil servants despite ongoing political drama

At one o'clock on the dot, crowds of civil servants spill out of their offices near Presint 3, Putrajaya.

It's time for lunch. Chatting and laughing, they have their meal and then return to their posts where they continue serving customers at ministry counters, apparently oblivious to the tension gripping much of the country as the uncertainty from the inconclusive election results goes on.

For days now, they have been waiting to learn who will become the next prime minister and occupy the top office in the administrative capital.

Amelia, who works at the office of the registrar general of the Federal Court, said she was not perturbed by the political drama unfolding in Kuala Lumpur. 

She and her colleagues follow each new twist and turn, but they see no reason for the uncertainty to distract them from doing their job. 

And Amelia, who has worked there for 11 years, says this is not her first election anyway. 

Speaking to MalaysiaNow, she said the negotiations should take as long as they need to.

"Don't be in a rush, continue talking and negotiating until a solution is found," she said. 

"Meanwhile, we will continue to work as usual. The important thing is for the talks to end well, so that the same issue does not crop up again over the next few years. That would make things difficult for us.

"Talk it over properly and settle it. We can wait."  

Amelia added that she is prepared to work under whatever administration is formed as long as it is in line with the Federal Constitution.

The general election on Nov 19 concluded with no single coalition or party winning the simple majority needed to form the government on its own. 

The days that followed saw a flurry of activity as political leaders and party representatives were called to meet with the king in order to determine which MP has the support of the majority to be appointed as prime minister. 

Yet Parliament remains hung, even as the king meets with the Malay rulers on the matter at a special gathering at Istana Negara today. 

Fasha, a photographer at RTM Angkasapuri, agreed with Amelia.

"We will continue working as usual, and leave it to the Agong to make the best decision for everyone," she said. 

She said voters had fulfilled their responsibility at the polls, and that it was now up to the future government to continue making good policies for the sake of the people and country. 

But Taqif, a doctor at Hospital Putrajaya, is less relaxed about the political situation.

His concern is that an ongoing political crisis could affect his career which only recently began. 

"I have been waiting since Saturday to learn who will form the next government," he said. 

"The longer it takes, the more anxious I get because I'm afraid it will go on for a long time. 

"All sorts of thoughts come to mind – is my job secure? Will I be stuck as a contract doctor forever?"

He tries his best to put aside his fears and to continue doing a good job at work. Even there, he jokes, many of his patients are civil servants who love nothing more than to exchange views about the political situation.

Speaking to MalaysiaNow, he said they would tell him to stay calm and to accept all the "drama" as it only happens during election season. 

"Sometimes, their chatter helps us forget about our stress and keep laughing while we work," he said.