Unvaxxed civil servants may face disciplinary action, termination: PSD

KUALA LUMPUR – Federal civil servants who fail to complete Covid-19 immunisation will be subject to disciplinary action or termination of service when the new policy on immunisation involving civil servants is implemented from November 1.

The matter is stated in Service Circular No 4/ 2021 on the Covid-19 Immunisation Implementation Policy for Federal Public Service Officers.

Signed by Public Service Department Director-General Tan Sri Mohd Khairul Adib Abd Rahman, it said officers can be instructed to complete their vaccination from that date.

“On or after November 1, 2021, any officer who fails to comply with the head of department's instructions may face disciplinary action or termination of service,” said the circular uploaded on the PSD website today.

Meanwhile, officers who cannot complete their Covid-19 vaccine doses due to health factors may be instructed to undergo medical check-ups with a registered medical practitioner.

They may also be instructed by the head of department to undergo a Covid-19 test if they have been confirmed unfit to receive the vaccination for health reasons.

“Officers are responsible for obtaining a complete Covid-19 immunisation as prescribed by the government. This is to ensure a safe work environment and that service delivery, as well as public service productivity, are at an optimal level,” read the circular.

It noted that heads of department can also at any time order officers who have not completed their Covid-19 vaccine doses to undergo a health examination to determine their health status.

They are also allowed to use appropriate methods to manage officers who have not completed their vaccination, including instructing the officers to undergo Covid-19 screening at their own expense.

However, the government will pay the cost of Covid-19 tests for those who are not eligible to receive Covid-19 vaccination due to health reasons.

All civil servants are subject to the provisions under Clause (2) of Article 132 of the federal constitution and are bound by the letters of undertaking that they have signed under sub-regulation 20 (3) of the Public Officers (Appointment, Promotion and Termination of Service) Regulations 2012 [PU (A) 1/2012].

The PSD announced in a statement on September 30 that all federal civil servants are required to be fully vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus before November 1. – Bernama, October 19, 2021