The Education Ministry said its letter to a teacher vocal about school syllabus and heavy school bag issues, saying that they are looking at firing or demoting him for criticising government policy, is not a verdict.
Education director-general Pkhairuddin Ghazali (above) said the letter sent to Mohd Fadli Mohd Salleh, better known as Cikgu Fadli, was to inform the teacher about the complaint the ministry had received about him and that he needed to submit a written explanation to defend himself.
"For information, the letter sent to the teacher does not mean that the disciplinary board has passed a sentence against him.
"Instead, the letter was to inform the teacher about a complaint received by the disciplinary board and the need for Cikgu Fadli to submit his representation, or a written explanation (on the matter).
"The board has received Cikgu Fadli's letter of representation on Oct 14 and it will convene a meeting tomorrow, Oct 17, 2022," he said in a video posted on the Education Ministry's official Facebook page this evening.
Last night, Fadli revealed on his Facebook account, which has over 600,000 followers, that he had received a letter from the ministry saying that he is either to be sacked or demoted for violating a provision under the Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993, which prevents a civil servant from "making any comments against the weaknesses of any government policy, plan, or decision."
According to a copy of the letter attached by Fadli, the action concerned three Facebook posts he made in November last year where Fadli criticised the Education Ministry’s school syllabus, which he also blamed as the reason students have to carry heavy bags daily.
It stated that the chairperson of the disciplinary board, "after considering all information at hand", was of the view that disciplinary action should be taken against Fadli "by way of terminating his service or by demoting him".
Ismail Sabri hopes for win-win outcome
Meanwhile, caretaker prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob revealed he had given Pkhairuddin a call earlier today for an explanation regarding Fadli's situation.
He told reporters in Bera that he had learnt about the matter this morning, and hoped the disciplinary board meeting would have a win-win outcome.
"Show cause letters are common in government departments, but I hope a positive decision can be reached at tomorrow's meeting.
"InsyaAllah, what was depicted in the letter or on social media such as being fired, demoted and so on will not happen.
"The ministry cannot let staff who make comments (on social media) go scot-free, but at the same time, too harsh a punishment for officers and staff is also inappropriate, while officers and staff also need to respect the ministry," he was quoted as saying by Bernama.
He also said the Education Ministry should listen to feedback from both teachers and society - whom he noted reacted negatively to earlier news that Fadli would be sacked. - Mkini
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