Govt terminates public service DG’s tenure

Putrajaya has terminated the services of Public Service Department director-general Mohd Shafiq Abdullah effective yesterday, Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali confirmed.

“The decision was taken after going through all procedures in the public interest and scrutinised by the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

“The termination is in accordance with Regulation 49(3) of the Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993 and subject to retirement in accordance with Subsection 10(5)(d) of the Pensions Act 1980 that enables him to enjoy all the retirement benefits to which he is entitled.

“On behalf of the government, I express my deepest appreciation and thanks to Shafiq (above) for his service and devotion to the state as a civil servant,” Zuki added.

Last night, Free Malaysia Today quoted sources as saying that the action was taken on the disciplinary board’s advice, which made the decision prior to the calling of the 15th general election.

A Facebook account by the name of “Harapan Malaysia” posted an image of a termination letter, alleged to be the one issued to Shafiq, in a group called “Pakatan Harapan Malaysia” last night.

Many allegations against Shafiq

The “Harapan Malaysia” account owner claimed that Shafiq had violated many civil service rules. Among them, threatened government servants to silence them, promoted staff at his whim and fancies and sacked special officers without proper reasons.

The social media user also alleged that the former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob had turned a blind eye to Syafiq’s purported transgressions.

In August, Shafiq got embroiled in controversy after an immigration officer, who was on duty as the Immigration Operations head at KLIA, alleged that the former had hurled abusive remarks at him in public.

Although a committee was later set up to investigate the spat between Syafiq and the immigration officer, it is unknown if any action was taken against Syafiq pertaining to the incident.

The news of Shafiq’s termination of service comes just shy of a week after Treasury secretary-general Asri Hamidin had reportedly been put on leave.

According to news reports, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is also holding the finance portfolio, mentioned in his press conference on Dec 6 that there will be a new “KSP”, referring to the Malay acronym for treasury secretary-general post.

Shafiq, 58, was appointed as director-general of public services on Feb 10 this year to replace Mohd Khairul Adib Abd Rahman who went on a mandatory retirement on Jan 16.

Starting his career as assistant secretary in the Protocol Division, Prime Minister's Department on Dec 1, 1992, and had served in the civil service for 30 years.

He holds a Bachelor of Political Science (Hons) degree from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and a Masters in Public Administration from Meiji University, Japan.

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