Minister welcomes work rotation for civil servants at service counters

Summary

• Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail supports the work rotation directive for civil servants at customer service counters to address integrity issues.

• The initiative aims to improve public service delivery and boost confidence in government services.

• Saifuddin reaffirms the ministry’s commitment to prioritising the public’s needs and enhancing service quality.

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has expressed support for the directive to implement work rotations for civil servants working at customer service counters for over five years.

Saifuddin described the order by Chief Secretary to the Government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar as a proactive measure to address integrity issues.

“Any system implemented in the public service must have a clear objective. The ultimate goal should be to streamline or improve the delivery system.

“This initiative can help tackle integrity concerns and boost public confidence in the quality of public services,” he said during a press conference after visiting booths at the Asia International Security Summit and Exhibition 2025 today.

In August last year, Saifuddin stressed that regular job rotations are essential to prevent recurring cases of corruption and integrity violations within enforcement agencies, citing several corruption scandals, including “counter-setting” involving immigration officers at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

Yesterday, Berita Harian reported that Shamsul had instructed the Public Service Department to review and implement the work rotation, noting that a five-year stint at the service counter was deemed too long.

People first approach

Welcoming the initiative, Saifuddin explained that it aligns with the ministry’s goal of prioritising the public's interests.

“What Shamsul expressed is very relevant to us at the ministry, where we have agencies involved in counter services, such as the Immigration Department, the National Registration Department, and others.

“Yes, many systems at service counters are directly linked to the public, so my reaction is that I fully welcome this initiative,” he added.

Saifuddin further stressed that this move reflects the ministry’s commitment to putting the people first.

“We are confident that at the ministry, we will continue our efforts to improve the delivery systems of agencies under us, always reminding them that the public's interests must come first.

“It must be people-centred, and if we achieve that, I am confident we will see positive changes once we implement this system,” he concluded.

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