Stop making public statements on internal matters, says JPA DG

 

JPA director-general Shafiq Abdullah said civil servants should have a positive mindset when receiving feedback or suggestions from superiors. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The public services department (JPA) has urged civil servants to stop making public statements on internal matters.

In a recent circular, JPA director-general Shafiq Abdullah said heads of departments and supervising officers were permitted to reprimand civil servants who failed to carry out their duties satisfactorily.

“Civil servants should always remain positive when receiving feedback or suggestions from superiors in order to improve the delivery of public services.

“A civil servant who is reprimanded should not respond by attempting to publicise the matter,” he said, adding that civil servants who attempted to do so were “irresponsible” and could be penalised in accordance with the law.

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An investigation is currently under way after Shafiq allegedly reprimanded a civil servant for dereliction of duty. The investigation is to determine whether Shafiq publicly berated an immigration officer at KLIA.

Immigration Services Union of Peninsular Malaysia, a union for immigration department staff, had previously demanded that Shafiq issue a public apology over the incident.

Another union, the Persatuan Penguasa Imigresen Malaysia, said the incident would not dishearten the department in carrying out its duties.

Shafiq said the JPA director-general was not only responsible for the department but for public services in general, as stipulated in the Federal Constitution.

“The director-general of JPA is responsible for providing feedback and criticism in order to improve the quality and compliance of rules in the public service sector,” he said.

He stressed that civil servants must carry out their duties efficiently and earnestly as they represented the government.

“Disciplinary action must be taken against any civil servant found violating the rules,” he said. “Especially where national security and sovereignty are concerned, immediate action should be taken against non-compliance and negligence without compromise or favouritism.”

Last Saturday, Chief Secretary to the Government Zuki Ali announced that the special committee formed to investigate Shafiq’s alleged verbal abuse of an immigration officer would be headed by Attorney-General Idrus Harun.

The committee members are Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission head Azam Baki and Auditor-General Nik Azman Nik Abdul.

The panel is set to have its first meeting on Friday. - FMT