SALAHUDDIN Ayub said he was informed only yesterday about Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry secretary-general Mohd Sallehhuddin Hassan’s transfer to the Public Service Department (PSD).

The agriculture minister said he was told that a number of changes was taking place in several ministries, and Sallehhuddin’s move was one of them.

“I received a notice from PSD that four to five people have been rotated as part of a transfer exercise. That was what I was told,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

The Pulai MP said the changes are normal procedure, and that such orders come from the chief secretary to the government and PSD director-general.

“I consider it a normal procedure. If there is an exchange or rotation, it comes under the jurisdiction of the chief secretary to the government and director-general of PSD, and I won’t interfere.”

Yesterday, The Malaysian Insight reported on Sallehhuddin’s transfer following his alleged involvement in a RM1.4 billion padi tender.

A government source said the move happened on Friday, a day after MCA president Wee Ka Siong highlighted in Parliament the ministry’s award of a direct contract worth RM1.4 billion.

Primary Industries Ministry secretary-general Tan Yew Chong was also transferred to PSD effective yesterday.

Sources said the position of secretary-general at both ministries is vacant until suitable candidates are found.

Sallehhuddin came under the spotlight after an Amanah member complained that he had “sabotaged” Salahuddin by granting the contract without the minister’s knowledge. – November 26, 2019.