PUTRAJAYA, Aug 16 — The Prime Minister has given a strong reminder to all department heads (HODs) that they will be subject to disciplinary action, including being ineligible for promotion if they fail to report the misconduct of their subordinates.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this is because it is the responsibility of the HODs to strengthen the integrity and governance of the public service.
"HODs who fail to report the misconduct of their subordinates will be subject to disciplinary action which subsequently, affects their chances of promotion.
“Because there was a case of a school principal who did not report a bullying case to the police because he wanted to protect the school’s image, and another case where the HOD knew that his subordinate had an undeclared excessive wealth. So, if the HOD fails to report such cases, he would be ineligible for promotion," he said.
Anwar was addressing the civil servants at the 19th edition of the Civil Service Premier Assembly programme, themed ‘Madani Public Service’, today.
The Prime Minister also suggested that HODs implement job rotation on a regular basis to avoid cases of misconduct among public officials.
“Sometimes when civil servants are placed in one place for far too long, they would become complacent.
"At the border, the airport and the port, for example, there must be a job rotation to monitor their performance,” he said, adding that the move could also ensure that the promotion of civil servants is given based on their respective job descriptions.
On the issue of value and integrity, a pillar of Madani Public Service, Anwar said several things need to be given serious attention, especially in the governance of implementing government activities, projects, and programmes.
He has always emphasised the inculcation of values and good governance to strengthen integrity, accountability, transparency and justice in every aspect of managing and administering public service organisations.
“I have repeatedly told the Chief Secretary to the Government and the Director-General of Public Service that no promotion should be given to the HODs who turned a blind eye to the misconduct and corrupt practice of their respective subordinates. No compromise on that!” Anwar said.
All HODs should also be responsible for monitoring and ensuring that the service delivery performance of the officers under their supervision is comparable to the salary increase that they will receive under the revised Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA).
Earlier, he announced a 15 per cent salary adjustment to civil servants in the Implementing, Management and Professional groups, and seven per cent for those in the Top Management group.
Anwar said all measures to empower the public service need to be implemented before the details of salary adjustment under the SSPA are tabled in Budget 2025 this October.
The SSPA will replace the Malaysian Compensation System effective December 1.
— Bernama
