Mahdzir’s remarks in line with general orders — ministry

PUTRAJAYA: The advice and comments made by Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid in his 2018 New Year Message on the involvement of civil servants, especially those in his ministry, the State Education Departments, District Education Offices, principals, headmasters and teachers in party politics is in line with the general orders of the Public Service Department (PSD), according to the Education Ministry.

In a statement here yesterday, the Ministry said the advice and comments were in line with a directive dated April 6, 2009 which prohibits an officer in the top management group as well as those in managerial and professional positions from being involved in politics.

“All parties are urged to work together to stop the spread of defamatory and/or false information which can create uneasiness specifically among education staff, and affect the people’s confidence in educators,” the statement said.

It added that in his New Year Message speech at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre on Jan 18, the Education Minister advised the ministry staff to avoid being involved in politics as it could affect their credibility and integrity as civil servants and encourage hatred and lies about the country’s leaders and government.

The statement said the Education Minister did not mention specifically who they (ministry staff) should vote for in elections but instead had stressed that they should always be professional so that the principle of neutrality and impartiality was practised in serving the people.

It said his advice and comments were misinterpreted and twisted by irresponsible people and went viral on social media, creating uneasiness and misunderstanding among the ministry staff. - Bernama