THE Public Service Department (PSD) wants Putrajaya to introduce regulations barring civil servants from holding political party posts to avoid conflicts of interest and power abuse, said sources.

They said the proposal is also to stop political appointments on a contract basis for certain ministry posts, especially in communications units, where ministers are currently free to make their own appointments.

The proposal, still at the discussion stage at the PSD level, will be forwarded to the Prime Minister’s Department for a follow-up soon, before possible cabinet approval.

A 1993 circular allows civil service support staff to hold posts in political parties, with exceptions for management-level personnel in the education sector.

“PSD is seeking feedback from ministries and agencies on the proposal,” a source told The Malaysian Insight.

“After getting the feedback, a proposal paper will be sent to the cabinet division to be deliberated by the cabinet.”

He said the usual practice is for the cabinet to revert with its own notes, recommending that the proposal move forward or be kept under consideration.

The Malaysian Insight understands that the proposal was initiated after Pakatan Harapan expressed unhappiness with civil servants being actively involved in politics, especially in parties in the former ruling pact.

Sources pointed to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s repeated statements that reforms cannot be implemented due to internal sabotage in the civil service.

The PSD proposal also includes looking into ministers’ appointment of aides, who are usually from political parties.

A government circular last year allows ministers and deputy ministers to appoint senior private secretaries, private secretaries, special officers and press officers.

However, ministers are also appointing heads of communications units, when previously, such appointees came from the Information Department.

“These appointments had always been from the Information Department, but now, they are political appointees on contract,” said a source, adding that conflict arises when the appointees are also office-bearers in political parties. – May 29, 2019.