Monday July 2, 2012

PSD likely to appoint first woman chief

By ZUHRIN AZAM AHMAD
zuhrinazam@thestar.com.my

PUTRAJAYA: The Public Service Department (PSD) is likely to get its first woman chief following the abrupt departure of Tan Sri Abu Bakar Abdullah.

Two names Datuk Madinah Mohamad and Datuk Faridah Mohd Ali have been frequently mentioned among senior government officials to lead the 1.4 million-strong workforce.

Datuk Madinah Mohamad

Madinah is the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry secretary-general and has worked in various agencies including the PSD, Works Ministry and the National Unity and Integration Department.

Faridah, meanwhile, is the PSD deputy director-general and has served, among others, in the Economic Planning Unit.

Another senior woman officer, Datuk Dr Noorul Ainur Mohd Nur, who is Women, Family and Community Development Ministry secretary-general, has also been mentioned as a candidate for the post.

The Government had instituted in 2004 a policy to increase the number of women in the public service key decision-making positions.

Chief Secretary to the Government Datuk Seri Dr Ali Hamsa, who is expected to announce the new PSD chief today, was tight-lipped about the name.

The PSD, in a brief statement on Friday, announced that Abu Bakar's service ended yesterday.

The rather sudden termination of service, meanwhile, has left the 57-year-old Abu Bakar dumbfounded as to the reason for being asked to leave and the manner he was treated.

“My option to serve until 60 was accepted and agreed upon by the Government effective Jan 1 this year.

“They must have a strong reason to terminate (my service),” he said when asked whether the Government could terminate the service of a civil servant.

Datuk Dr Noorul Ainur Mohd Nur

Abu Bakar started his career in the civil service in 1977 as an administrative and diplomatic officer and climbed the ladder to become PSD director-general in 2010.

He was said to be the target among the civil servants who were unhappy with the Public Service New Remuneration Scheme and blamed him for the poor planning.

The scheme was introduced on Jan 1 this year but was scrapped two months later.

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Monday July 2, 2012

PSD likely to appoint first woman chief

By ZUHRIN AZAM AHMAD zuhrinazam@thestar.com.my

By ZUHRIN AZAM AHMAD
zuhrinazam@thestar.com.my