The prime minister’s department has the highest number with 8 officers’ contracts shortened

By P PREM KUMAR & DASHVEENJIT KAUR

The federal government has taken action against 18 top civil servants in various ministries since Pakatan Harapan took over the administration.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong (picture) said the contract of a top civil servant from the prime minister’s department was terminated on the grounds of public interest.

The remaining 17 officials’ contracts were shortened as they were political appointees.

The prime minister’s department had the highest number with eight officers’ contracts shortened, five from the Foreign Ministry, two from the Finance Ministry and one each in the Home Affairs Ministry and the Communications and Multimedia Ministry.

“In relation to the termination of the contracts at government-linked companies, up to July 9, two directors from Tenaga Nasional Bhd and one MD from Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) had their contracts terminated,” Liew said in a written parliamentary reply.

He was responding to a query from MP Datuk Hasbullah Osman (BN-Gerik) who asked the government to state the total contracts of termination of service for government servants since the May 9 polls.

Liew said for the companies under Minister of Finance Inc (MoF Inc), 24 directors have resigned voluntarily, despite having no directive by the government to terminate any of the directors.

In addition, the service contract of 1Malaysia Development Bhd ED had been terminated for “breach of contract and fiduciary duty”.

Meanwhile, in a separate written reply to MP Datuk Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid (Pakatan Harapan-Kapar), Liew said the government opined that there is no need to shake up the board of directors of airport operator MAHB.

“At present, the composition of the MAHB board of directors does not comprise political appointments and consists of only corporate, government officials and retired government officials.

“Accordingly, there is no need for MAHB to review the composition of the current board,” he added.