Heads roll as PM cracks whip
> Five key movements in the civil service and Felda
PUTRAJAYA: Five key movements in the civil service and Felda marked day four of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) federal government yesterday as Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad worked on getting the country back on the right track.
The most startling move came when Mahathir announced that Attorney-General (AG) Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali was asked to go on leave immediately and that Solicitor-General Datuk Engku Nor Faizah Engku Atek is to assume his duties on a temporary basis.
The PH chairman said the government will go through the proper processes to initiate investigations against Mohamed Apandi whose contract was renewed recently.
“When investigations are carried out ... only then can action be taken, including suspending the AG or barring him from leaving the country,” the prime minister told a press conference yesterday.
Mahathir had previously stated the AG had undermined his own credibility in the investigations into 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). “After the investigation, he may be just removed or he can resign, take leave, go on holiday. Meantime, if the investigation reveals that there is a case against him, we will take action,” he said. Earlier yesterday, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad had resigned, and Mahathir said it was his choice. In a statement yesterday, Dzulkifli, who was on secondment from the AGC, said he will report for work there today. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) also announced that Finance Ministry Secretary-General Tan Sri Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah’s contract would be terminated on June 14. It said Mohd Irwan was appointed on contractual basis from March 7, 2017 to March 6, 2019. “As of today (Monday) he will be transferred to the Public Service Department until June 13. During this period he will not be allowed to carry out any duties in regards to his position as secretary-general or anything involving the Finance Ministry,” the PMO said in a statement. Felda chief Tan Sri Shahrir Samad ended the day of key comings and goings with his resignation. “I decided to resign from my post as I was appointed by the BN government in January 2017,” he said in a statement. “I’ve done my best to try and put Felda on the right footing.”