I am glad Mr Yeo Chee Kean reiterated Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat's call for prudence in our budget spending (Civil service must meet challenge of doing more with less; Feb 28).

One practice which needs to be reviewed is that of retaining the retiring head of a government body as an "adviser" while the incoming officer settles into his new appointment.

Even some non-government organisations are beginning to adopt such a practice when changes are made to their managements.

Is it necessary? Are the new incoming personnel not ready? Will we be stifling new ideas and ways of doing things?

More prudence is certainly needed.

Tan Soon Hock