PUTRAJAYA, April 22 — Federal Territories Minister Khalid Samad dismissed views that civil service saboteurs were frustrating Pakatan Harapan’s delivery of pledged reforms, saying instead that this was down to crossed signals.

In a joint press interview today, the Shah Alam MP said people were entitled to the opinion but said he personally felt the seemingly slow progress was down to some sections of the civil service failing to appreciate the new ruling coalition’s plans.

"Some say its sabotage; it is not a matter of sabotage but a lack of understanding and appreciation by civil servants of PH’s vision,” he said.

Khalid added that some civil servants were still used to the culture and methods ingrained after over six decades of Barisan Nasional rule.

"Now we have to proceed with the process of reforms to civil servants whereby we need to convince them to follow the new leadership and make them appreciate the new vision set by the new administration.

"So it is another level of change that we need to do and we cannot force it, as it takes time,” he said.

Using Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) as an example, Khalid said professionals working with local authority are often impeded by political interference or even micromanagement by their political superiors.

Khalid’s comment came on the backdrop of a supposed "deep state” movement that intends to stifle the PH administration and even stir discontent among the new government with the Malay monarch.

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had often reminded civil servants to be loyal to the government of the day and that their work towards providing service to the people must take precedence above the support and allegiance to certain leaders and political parties.