MIRI: The government will examine whether present laws are ineffective in dealing with misconduct in the public service.
Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa stated this in response to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)’s Operational Evaluation Panel (PPO), which said disciplinary action imposed on errant civil servants at present is insufficient to deter repeat or future offenders.
“The law that we apply now is quite effective and applicable. We will look and restudy if the current laws and regulations to deal with errant civil servants are not strict enough and not relevant,” said Dr Ali.
He called on civil servants to follow guidelines and procedures as well as adhere to the law and regulations.
“Every misconduct of civil servants will be dealt with under the General Order according to the nature or seriousness of their misconduct,” he added after visiting the state Islamic Religious Department (Jais) and Miri Resident’s Office yesterday.
He said some errant civil servants were issued warnings, others were fined, faced delayed salary increments, salary demotions, terminations or retraction of emolument rights.
MACC had called for a law specifically to deal with public office misconduct, which would make senior civil servants liable for leakage and misuse of public funds that occurred in their departments and among their subordinates.