PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Mohd Shafiq Abdullah, whose services as Public Service Department (PSD) director-general were terminated effective yesterday, will seek legal action against those involved in the action to remove him from office.
In a statement issued to the media today, Mohd Shafiq said he was dissatisfied and aggrieved by the governmemt's decision.
"I am not satisfied with the decision to terminate my services and will pursue taking legal action against any side or party involved in this matter who have hurt and mistreated me even though I have contributed much energy, thoughts and ideas during my 30 years in public service.
"To safeguard the good name and importance of members of public services, the decision taken by the government will be carefully studied in depth, if at all it was appropriate and a judicial reveiw will have to be done," he said.
However, Shafiq asked that all public servants continue to work hard together, collectively in dignifying public services and taking it to a more dynamic level which will contribute towards the country's development and well-being.
"To the people of the country, let me stress that I have never threatened the public's priority in any service or form and during my tenure as PSD director-general I have carried out my duties in a trustworthy and firm manner," he said.
Mohd Shafiq said he received the letter regarding the termination of his services which went viral and spread on social media yesterday, even though the letter was dated Dec 1.
He said he was never given any reasonable notice following the effective date of the termination of his services being the same day that he received the said letter.
He said that throughout his career in service, there were a few improvements in service that were cultivated and worked on including improvements for all agency organisations and government departments so that all may function optimally and more efficiently.
Even so, he said such a matter was disliked by a few officers who had vested interests in public services and also with external parties.
"Therefore, there were some moves and non-stop efforts to destroy my image and reputation through issues that were viralled on social media and mainstream media which gained even more attention culminating in the move to terminate my services yesterday.
Without naming anyone, Mohd Shafiq also claimed that there were attempts to prevent him from acting and working efficiently when there were a couple of important meetings regarding promotions that were deferred by the Chief Secretary to the Government as the Chairman for the Board Meeting on the Promotion of Officers in the Public Sector.
He said that he did not make any decisions arbitrarily in appointing and giving promotions to public officers because by right it has to go through the board meeting.
"The delay in having the Board meeting resulted in many important empty, positions in the public sector not being filled immediately especially at management level of the ministry or agency.
"I would also like to state that the Cabinet before this had already decided not to reconsider extending the services of public officers on contract basis for those who have retired.
"This is because it will be a financial burden to the government in terms of paying out pensions and salaries all at the same time, The implementation of the Cabinet's decision was not able to be implemented immediately because of pressure from certain parties with interest," he said.