It appears now that the transfer order issued to Petaling Jaya mayor Mohamad Roslan Sakiman has been put on hold.

NONE This follows the announcement of a freeze on the transfer of top Selangor civil servants by Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim, until the conclusion of discussions with the Public Services Department.

According to the Star Online , this has rendered the transfer of Roslan ( left ), who is slated to replace deputy state secretary Noordin Sulaiman, on hold.

Noordin was to replace Selangor state financial officer Mohd Arif Abdul Rahman.

Khalid said discussions on the transfers between the state government and the PSD are going on, although the matter is yet to be formally discussed at the weekly state executive council meeting.

He expects a decision on the matter within two weeks.

However, Star Online also reported Khalid as hinting that any transfer would likely take place next year.

"Towards the end of the year is the hardest time to do this (transfers of senior staff) because there is a lot of work. It is easier to do it early in the year," the MB is quoted as saying.

NONE Lawyer Derek Fernandez, who is also an MBPJ councilor, said he had been informed by the Selangor exco in charge of housing and local government, Ronnie Liu (right) , that the state had not approved the transfer.

"Liu issued a letter to the mayor confirming that the state has not approved the transfer and he is to resume his duties as the mayor of Petaling Jaya in accordance with the law," he told Malaysiakini .

Fernandez further reiterated that the PSD does not understand that Roslan's appointment is as a mayor first and a civil servant second - not the other way around.

"Roslan took an oath of office under Section 10 and 11 of the Local Government Act 1976. He is both councillor and mayor under the law and no more a mere civil servant," said the lawyer.

PJ residents want mayor retained

Meanwhile, The Malay Mail reported that the All Petaling Jaya Residents’ Association Coalition (APAC) calling for Roslan to be retained in his position.

Its adviser Liew Wei Beng described Roslan as a "people-friendly" mayor.

“A position like the mayor, you cannot transfer him with short notice. He is in charge of a city with a large budget.

“There must be a standard operating procedure. They must consult the councils and the menteri besar," the newspaper quotes Liew as saying.