PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Mohd Shafiq Abdullah (pic), who was unceremoniously dumped as Public Service Department (JPA) director-general, is not taking it lying down.
He wants to sue those involved in the termination of his service.
“I am dismayed at the decision by the government.
“I am dissatisfied with the decision and will take legal action against any party involved in the matter, which is oppressive, despite my contributions to the civil service over the last 30 years,” he said in a press statement yesterday.
Mohd Shafiq, 58, expressed unhappiness that he was not given due notice.
“I was only handed the termination letter dated Dec 1, 2022, yesterday.
“I was not given any reasonable notice that the effective date of the termination of my service was on Dec 12, the very same day,” he said.
Earlier yesterday, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali said that Mohd Shafiq’s termination was done in accordance with Regulation 49(3) of the Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993.
He said Mohd Shafiq’s retirement was also done in accordance with subsection 10(5)(d) of the Pensions Act 1980, which enabled him to enjoy all his retirement benefits.
Mohd Zuki said the decision was taken after going through all procedures for Termination in the Public Interest (PDKA), including the Attorney General’s Department’s scrutiny for irregularities.
Mohd Shafiq noted that there had been a recent continuous effort to tarnish his image through social media and the mainstream media, culminating in his termination.
He denied allegations that he had threatened officers, claiming instead that there were efforts to prevent him from carrying out his duties efficiently.
In August, Mohd Shafiq drew flak for berating an immigration officer at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, who later lodged a complaint against him.
A high-level committee, headed by Attorney General Idrus Harun, was set up to probe the incident and had issued recommendations in October, which remained undisclosed.
Mohd Shafiq also talked of several improvements he had made during his stint as Health Ministry secretary-general and when helming JPA, which included cutting down on government bureaucracy.
His purported termination letter was posted on Facebook on Monday by a group calling themselves Pakatan Harapan supporters.
Meanwhile, Mohd Shafiq said he had responded by sending screenshots of messages of support from several senior officers.
