Law expert Abdul Aziz Bari today questioned if the recent movements in the civil service were done according to norms and accepted practices.

Aziz noted that the new Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief, Dzulkifli Ahmad, was "not quite a senior" when he had been in the Attorney-General's Chambers.

"The appointment and reshuffle of certain key officers - especially in MACC and Immigration - have raised concerns in some circles; including among the civil service," Aziz told Malaysiakini.

While he admitted that such a move was not unprecedented, the Selangor DAP leader said the government should have been more careful, given the 1MDB scandal.

"It must ensure that the integrity (of the civil service) - which is very much connected to its neutrality - is not compromised," said Aziz.

"Constitutionally, the civil service has to be neutral and that is why it has provided certain safeguards including pension, discipline, promotion and so on."

He said the office of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong appeared to have been used to legitimise the promotions of certain key officials, and possibly their demotion and dismissal as well.

"While it is unrealistic to expect the Agong to make decisions himself, the Constitution has devised a system whereby there is a check and balance as well as transparency when it comes to the above process.

"One just wonders if the service commission concerned has done its job?"

Aziz also wondered why the armed forces chief post is still held by an army general.

He asked what had happened to the rotation of the post among the army, navy and air force chiefs that was put in place many years ago.

"The more so when the present holder has gone beyond the mandatory retirement age of 60," he said.

Yesterday, MACC’s three top officers - chief commissioner Abu Kassim Mohamed, deputy commissioner (operations) Mohd Shukri Abdull and deputy commissioner (prevention) Mustafar Ali - bid farewell to the agency.

Abu Kassim will continue to serve as an anti-corruption service officer until his mandatory retirement in 2020.

It is understood that Shukri has retired from public service.

Meanwhile, Mustafar has been appointed as the new Immigration Department director-general effective Aug 1, replacing Sakib Kusmi who has been transferred to the Public Service Department.