MPs stunned over Parliament secretary's short-lived transfer

When Dewan Rakyat secretary Roosme Hamzah was transferred to the Women's Development Department under the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry on short notice last month, it startled many parliamentarians.

They were even more surprised when the senior officer, who was promoted to the director-general post of the Women's Development Department, has now rejoined Parliament.

A source told Malaysiakini that Roosme came back on May 6 – 11 days after her last day on April 25.

This is probably one of the shortest transfers ever involving a government department and Parliament.

"She is now transferred back as Dewan Rakyat secretary – her previous post," said a Parliament source who spoke on condition of anonymity.

"She was promoted from Jusa B to Jusa A (the service grade in the public sector)," he said.

The source, however, argued that such transfers are "a normal procedure in the government" when asked about the reason behind her transfer.

A check on the official website of the Women's Development Department found Roosme's message as the head of the department.

"We heard that it was a two-day short notice transfer," said an opposition lawmaker.

Another lawmaker claimed they have been discussing among themselves on the sudden transfer.

Malaysiakini has contacted the relevant parties for comment.

They are Roosme and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Azalina Othman Said, Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia, and deputy speakers Ismail Mohamed Said and Ronald Kiandee. -Mkini