Minister denies interference in appointment of top officers in civil service

The appointment and work rotation of civil servants is being implemented in accordance with public service-related rules and regulations, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions) Armizan Mohd Ali said yesterday.

He said the processes were also in line with the Public Officers (Appointment, Promotion and Termination of Service) Regulations 2012 and the Ministerial Functions Act 1969.

Refuting allegation of political interference in the appointment of top officers in the civil service, Armizan said the appointment of such officers was a normal practice with similar appointments made during the administration of previous governments.

"For replacement and work rotation of civil servants on Grade JUSA C and above, 128 appointments were made during the administration of the seventh prime minister (Dr Mahathir Mohamad), 104 under the eighth prime minister (Muhyiddin Yassin), 92 under ninth prime minister (Ismail Sabri Yaakob), and under the current prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, there were 62 as of Feb 28.

"So the perception that the unity government interferes in the appointment of top officers in the public service is untrue," he said when winding up the debate on the Supply Bill 2023 at the policy stage at the Dewan Rakyat sitting.

Armizan also said that the government had always studied and reviewed the salaries of civil servants and made improvements to the Malaysian Remuneration System which was implemented in 2002.

He said the prime minister had also pledged to review the salaries and wages of civil servants once the country’s financial situation improves.

"Any salary increment or changes in the existing salary structure should be studied comprehensively to maintain harmony in the public service," he said.

Armizan said the decision to give salary increments to civil servants should also take into consideration the overall amount of public service emoluments and the country’s current financial situation.