Civil service downsizing will only affect vacant positions, says deputy minister

Diyana Ibrahim Diyana Ibrahim Updated 5 years ago · Published on 27 Mar 2019 1:03PM · 3 Comments

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohamed Farid Md Rafik says there are currently 1.7 million positions in the civil service, of which 6% are not filled. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, March 27, 2019.

CIVIL servants are assured of keeping their jobs, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohamed Farid Md Rafik said, as any move to downsize the government administration will only target positions that are not yet filled.

Such a move will only affect the 6% of jobs that have not yet been filled, he he, noting that 94% of civil service jobs are already occupied.

“This (94%) is consistent year to year. In terms of any downsizing, we will look first at those jobs that cannot be filled and try to optimise them.

“We should not touch civil servants who are already working with the government,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Farid was replying to a question by Shamsul Anuar Nasarah (BN-Lenggong) who asked about the number of civil servants to be affected in Putrajaya’s streamlining of the civil service.

In a supplementary question, Shamsul Anuar also asked if the government had done any studies to assess the social and economic impact if the government were to proceed with reducing the size of the civil service.

Farid said there were currently 1.7 million positions in the civil service, of which 6% were not filled.

He said the total number of posts included federal and state positions, as well as in local councils and state statutory bodies.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had said previously that the civil service should be reduced, but admitted that it was difficult to do so as it remained a politically sensitive issue. – March 27, 2019.

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Comments

  • This is another stupid Minister!!
    Why does one downsize? An entity downsizes because its opex is high, and threatens its existence and sustainability. Because its not productive - for the same amount of work lesser people can do it. Which means cost saving..
    the bottom line is.... Cost savings, whilst ensuring productivity.. Thats why one downsizes!
    So, what nonsense is the deputy minister talking about downsizing VACANT positions?! Vacant is vacant, there is no cost there! What is there to downsize????!!!! Doesnt he understand simple logic, simple economics, simple finance? How stupid can our ministers be??!!

    Posted 5 years ago by Kampung Boy · Reply

  • Dr M, please do a cabinet reshuffle before these clowns destroy the country!!??

    Posted 5 years ago by Kampung Boy · Reply

  • Its not about downsizing. Thats a separate matter......
    But by just talking about the issue itself shows the lack of intellect and capabilities of our appointed leaders!!

    Posted 5 years ago by Kampung Boy · Reply