PARLIAMENT | Putrajaya has barred civil servants from using support letters issued by any member of the administration or influential individuals, said de facto Law Minister Takiyuddin Hassan.
He said disciplinary action could be taken against those who breach the guidelines issued in 2010 on support letters.
Takiyuddin said the guidelines were issued to guide civil servants on support letters to ensure they can carry out their duties without undue influence and with integrity.
"The government issued guidelines on letters of support received from the government leader, influential individual or any individuals on the government business, signed by the chief secretary to the government on March 8, 2010," he said.
"The guideline was meant to explain to the civil servants about steps that should be taken in handling letters of support they received from the government leaders, influential individuals or any individual on government business.
"This was to ensure that the civil servants were not confused, influenced and able to preserve their integrity when considering an application," he said.
Takiyuddin was responding to Cha Kee Chin (Harapan-Rasah) about the government's stance after Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Ahmad Kamal pledged to issue letters of support in exchange for votes during Bersatu's recent party election.
The minister said civil servants are barred from using the influence of support letters from any member of the administration.
"If this happens, an officer may be subjected to disciplinary action," he said.
He said disciplinary action could be taken by the head of the department under Regulation 4(2), Regulations Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) on "exerting or attempting to exert any form of external influence or pressure to support or advance any claim related to public service".
Takiyuddin, however, was silent on any action on those who issued the support letters.
Wan Fayhsal was caught on video promising to leverage on his position in the government and party to issue support letters in exchange for votes.
He later won the post of Bersatu Youth chief for the 2019-2022 term.
The video had since courted criticism from the opposition as evidence that Bersatu is perpetuating the culture of the previous BN administration.
On Aug 22, Deputy Defence Minister Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz said he regretted having written a letter of support for his son, but he had taken action to write a follow-up letter asking for the support letter to be cancelled.
He had, in the first letter, asked Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to "support" his son's bid to become a board member of Pharmaniaga Bhd, which is owned by the Defence Ministry's Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT). - Mkini
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