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The meaning of loyalty for public administrators in Maldives from a correspondent June 2003 In Maldives, it is common that public administrators attempting to eliminate unjust practices, are perceived by some of their masters as anti-establishment, rebellious and disloyal. These honest administrators, and sections of the media seeking to draw public attention to questionable practices, are attacked by corrupt Maldivians as defamers and slanderers, and accused of sowing the seeds of public hostility towards the government. Within the Maldive public service, there have been times when those employees who questioned certain policies and practices, found themselves under interrogation about their loyalty. It is worth reflecting on the concept of loyalty here, and no doubt many interpretations exist. I believe the loyalties of public employees should not be centred on a particular person because it results in too much subjectivity and does not allow us to analyse objectively and impartially our institutions, policies and practices. Our loyalties should be with a system designed to advance the people's interests within a framework of justice and fairness. In my view, actions which depart from the principles of justice, impose a duty on us as moral beings to redress these issues, within recognized constraints. Highlighting injustices and suggesting ways to improve the system should not be misconstrued as disloyalty. Indeed, the question of treachery to a particular person, or sectional interest, should not even arise. Where the policies and practices of the administration are identical to, or coincide with, the population's interests within the framework of justice then the public service's loyalty and commitment is automatic. Most importantly, the heads of the system have a duty to ensure that it is working to conform to the standards which require our allegiance. top

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Maldives Culture is an independent internet magazine of Maldivian cultural issues.
Editors and translators: Michael O'Shea and Fareesha Abdulla, Australia
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