Chief secretary to the government Ismail Bakar said the Public Service Commission (PSC) was correcting past practices by BN in the civil service which did not comply with procedures of appointing officers.

Ismail said this in response to complaints highlighted in a report by The Malaysian Insight claiming that the PSC was sabotaging appointments by the new government by giving them lower grades and salaries.

"First thing first, the previous government was not following some of the procedures on appointing new officers.

"Now, the new government wants us to follow the procedures as in the manifesto so (as) to put back integrity and good governance," he was quoted as saying by the Malay Mail.

He stressed that the appointment of political appointees was now being done by the book.

"We are not sabotaging the government. I hope everybody (understands) the situation and (do not) escalate the issue," he was quoted as saying.