On the alert for possible acts of treason.
- Saboteurs are senior civil servants with strong links with previous administration
- New Pakatan appointees constantly undermined and ridiculed by certain senior staff
- Attempts to discredit and get rid of new senior staff
- Being mostly first-timers, most PH ministers viewed as “easy” targets by old senior staff
- Saboteurs want to create chaos and derail the new government’s plans
- With numerous kickbacks and goodies ceased, some senior officers close to figures in former administration have found they are unable to work or do things like in “the good old days” under BN
- PM says loyalty of some civil servants still with BN, corruption entrenched in civil service, hard to find clean and capable officers to replace corrupt heads
- MCMC investigating recent leak of classified government documents
- Efforts to boost security to ensure classified docs not compromised
Ministry secretaries-general and directors-general of departments and agencies have been instructed to investigate attempts to sabotage the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration.
“I urge civil servants to report any act of treason to their secretaries-general, or department or agency heads.
“I will personally handle the matter.”
Chief Secretary to the Government Dr Ali Hamsa, in a statement today, reminded high-ranking officials to remain vigilant in detecting possible acts of treason.
He was commenting on an article in The Sun today, titled “Un-civil servants”, on senior public officials’ alleged sabotage of the PH administration.
It was reported that civil servants appointed by the new government into various positions in the ministries have become victims of “sabotage” by those out to derail plans by PH administration.
The report claimed that this has occurred in at least three ministries, resulting in the removal of a senior civil servant, who allegedly masterminded the sabotage at one ministry.
Citing sources, the daily revealed that a number of senior civil servants – mainly those who had strong links with the previous administration – were involved in the plot.
Reportedly, one “victim” said he was targeted soon after he was appointed to a senior position in one of the ministries.
“It was obvious that some senior staff were not happy with my appointment.
“However, as my appointment letter was signed by the minister concerned as well as Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, they could not do anything about it.
“Recently, I received a call from someone claiming to be from the Public Service Department (PSD), who said my appointment was not legitimate as I did not possess certain credentials,” the “victim” was quoted as saying.
According to the report, the “victim” said the ‘PSD officer’ claimed he had been instructed by the Prime Minister’s Office to ‘get rid’ of those who were not qualified.
“I suspected something amiss and contacted PSD personally and was informed there was no such thing, and that all appointments to the minister’s office were at his prerogative.
“I also managed to trace the number and after confirming where it originated, I informed the minister concerned,” the “victim” was quoted as saying.
Another senior staff told The Sun of a similar incident where work done by him was constantly undermined and ridiculed by certain senior personnel.
“The minister concerned has been made aware of this attempt to discredit and get us out. Those affected are waiting for further instructions on the next step to take, which is probably to lodge reports, either with the police or the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission,” the senior staff was quoted as saying.
The daily said a source revealed that since most PH ministers were first-timers, the senior personnel concerned probably felt they were “easy” targets.
Apparently, those affected said they believe those responsible had some other malicious agenda.
“Since the ministers are new, they often depend on their officers for advice and to carry out the PH agenda.
“By targeting and getting rid of the ‘minister’s men’, we believe they want to create chaos and in turn, derail the PH government’s plans.”
“Some of these senior officers are allegedly close to figures in the former Barisan Nasional (BN) government and have found they are unable to work or do things like in ‘the good old days’ under BN,” the source was quoted saying.
Since the PH administration, numerous kickbacks and goodies have ceased, which include gifts like hampers and other freebies.
Soon after taking office, Mahathir had raised concerns that the loyalty of some civil servants was still with the BN government.
He added that corruption was entrenched in the civil service, and it was hard to find clean and capable officers to replace corrupt heads.
Ali also said there will be no compromise in dealing with sabotage attempts against the government.
“Action will be taken against the perpetrators, without fear or favour.”
He gave an assurance that the PH government will always respect the mandate given by the people in the 14th general election.
“The rule of law and good governance must be upheld.”
Meanwhile, in a Twitter post, Ali said forensic officers from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission have launched an investigation into the recent leak of classified government documents.
He said ministry secretaries-general have been instructed to lodge police reports on the matter, as well as boost security efforts to ensure classified documents are not compromised.
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