Administrator only governs, but politicians are more powerful - Rahim Noor

The power of politicians is greater than that of the administrator, especially in the terms of leading, setting national policy and international related issues.

Former Inspector General of Police, Tan Sri Rahim Noor said, the platform of political power is clearly derived from people's power and come from the people themselves.

"Politicians, comprising State Assemblymen and Members of Parliament, formulate government policies that will be adopted by the administrator.

"Whose power is bigger? Administrator or politician? The way I see it, administrator only governs, but politicians are more powerful actually.

"In actual fact, politicians hold power because they are elected by the people and can be changed within the prescribed period," he said during an intellectual discourse organised by Sinar Harian here today.

The discussion, titled ‘'Who is more powerful: Administrator or the politicians?", is moderated by Astro Awani Executive Editor, Nazri Kahar.

Besides Rahim, former Senate Speaker, Tan Sri Adam Kadir and former CEO of Malaysia Airlines, also a legal practitioner, Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman were also part of the discussion panels.

The issue of political interference in the administration is not something new, but is often seen as a hot topic and debate between the government and the opposition in Dewan Rakyat.

However, Rahim said, politicians in this country cannot hold power for a long time because of the democratic system itself.

"In five years, politicians can be re-elected, whether they are retained or changed by new faces. This shows how powerful the politicians are. But not really, because it is the people who hold the power," he said.

Aziz also explained that Malaysia is fortunate to have former leaders such as Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Abdul Razak.

"They were the administrators, thus they can make the guidelines. Fortunately, the foundation was given to them in those days.

"Whatever we do in this country must be based on the law. And those who govern the law are the appointed officers. Although there is the law, sometimes there will be interference.

"Actually, it is the law that is powerful. Those days, the politicians did not understand their duty but now, everything is in order. There is separation of powers," he explained.

Meanwhile, Adam said, the power of politicians or administrators cannot 'escape' from the power of the prime minister.

"We cannot run away from the prime minister. Like what Tan Sri Rahim said, we do the job but we still have to wait for the green light.

"Maybe the prime minister does not intervene but still have to wait for the green light from him. Be it formally or informally, there must be the first nod from the prime minister. Otherwise, nothing can be done," he said.