The Malaysian Insight

THE previous Barisan Nasional government had abused the appointment of officers to give undeserving political appointees higher grades, says Chief Secretary to the Government Ismail Bakar, adding that it was now trying to rectify this.

He said the current move by the Public Service Commission (PSC) was not to ‘sabotage’ the new Pakatan Harapan officers.

“The previous appointment of political officers was misused. The ministers gave the grades and the officers didn’t have the guts to say no.

“Now, with the new government, things are back in order. The appointments are being made according to the grades the appointees fall under by PSC,” Ismail told The Malaysian Insight when contacted today.

He was responding to several ministerial officers telling the Malaysian Insight that PSC was sabotaging them by placing them in lower grades and delaying their salaries.

Ismail said officers who are unhappy with their appointments can appeal to have their grades reviewed.

“I will ask the PSC to do review the starting salary and grade according to the formula set in 2012.

“The officers will also need to provide evidence. Some only have an SPM certificate but have long work experience,” he added.

Ismail said the matter was brought up at the cabinet meeting several weeks ago and he was told to expedite the process.

“They asked us to expedite the process. It will be difficult if the officers do not accept the grades, as they will not sign the contracts and there will be a halt in the process,” he said.

There is also a likelihood that the Public Service Department’s 2012 circular on the appointment of officers will be either reviewed or replaced, Ismail said.

“It has already been six years since 2012. We can come up with a new circular or we can review it,” he said.

Among the complaints from the newly-appointed officers were that their salaries did not reflect their working experience and PSC was going against Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad despite him having signed their consent letters.

It was reported in August that the new contract staff for Pakatan Harapan did not get paid nor offer letters after almost three months on the job.

Several officers have yet to receive their contracts and salaries.

Dr Mahathir also said the new government was slow to implement the changes needed as top government officers were “sabotaging” the new administration. – September 11, 2018.