[UPDATED] Shafiq Abdullah terminated as Public Service DG effective Dec 12: Zuki

KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Mohd Shafiq Abdullah’s service as Public Service director-general has been terminated effective yesterday (December 12), said Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali.

According to Zuki, Shafiq’s retirement is in line with Section 49(3) of the Civil Service (Behaviour and Discipline) Regulations 1993 and Section 10(5)(d) of the Pensions Act, which states that Shafiq will enjoy retirement benefits. 

He added that the decision was made in the public interest and had gone through the Attorney-General’s Chambers. 

“On behalf of the government, I would like to convey my highest gratitude to (Shafiq) for his contributions and service towards the nation as a civil officer,” Zuki said in a statement today. 

“For the sake of our beloved nation, all public servants should remain committed in carrying out the responsibilities entrusted to them.” 

An image of a document believed to be the termination letter issued to Shafiq has since made the rounds on social media. 

The letter, dated December 1 and allegedly initialled by Zuki, detailed that Shafiq will be subject to enforced retirement on December 12. 

Shafiq had courted controversy earlier in August when the Immigration Services Union of Peninsular Malaysia demanded an open apology from him over his alleged outburst against an immigration officer at an airport counter. 

Union president Khairil Niza Khairuddin claimed that the incident saw the Kuala Lumpur International Airport Immigration head of operations being harshly scolded by Shafiq in the presence of members of the public. 

The Public Service Department had subsequently called out immigration authorities over the union’s statement, stating that all allegations against Shafiq were “baseless, ill-intended, and malicious” with a view to damaging his reputation as a high-ranking government official. – The Vibes, December 13, 2022