The government has terminated the tenure of Public Service Department (PSD) director-general Mohd Shafiq Abdullah, Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali said today. 

Zuki said the termination of Shafiq’s service is in line with rule 49(3) of the Public Officers Regulations Act (Conduct and Discipline) 1993. 

He added that Shafiq, 58, has been retired in accordance with subsection 10(5)(d) of the Pensions Act 1980, which allows him to enjoy the retirement benefits to which he is entitled.

“The decision was made after undergoing all of the procedures for termination in the public interest, and after being scrutinised for regularity by the Attorney-General’s Chambers,” he said in a statement.

“On behalf of the government, I express the deepest appreciation and gratitude to Shafiq for his service and devotion to the state as a civil servant.”

While it is unclear why Shafiq has been “sacked”, a viral image of a letter from Zuki to Shafiq said that decision was made on the grounds of public interest.

Shafiq was appointed PSD director-general on February 10 this year. 

Just months into his new posting, Shafiq was involved in controversy in August after an immigration officer complained that Shafiq had berated him in public. 

An official complaint was lodged by the Immigration Department, which led to an investigation ordered by Zuki. 

However, it is uncertain if his removal is related to this incident. 

Prior to his appointment as PSD chief, Shafiq was Health Ministry secretary-general. 

Shafiq, who has been in the civil service for 30 years, began his career as assistant secretary in the Prime Minister’s Department’s Protocol Division on December 1, 1992. 

Apart from Shafiq’s removal, the government is also reported to be looking at replacing Treasury Secretary-General Asri Hamidin. – December 13, 2022.