Errant Civil Servants Face Action, Says Sidek

Bernama

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 11 (Bernama) -- Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Sidek Mohd Hassan, has vowed to take action against civil servants who had flouted rules when discharging their duties.

"Civil servants mentioned in the 2006 Auditor-General's Report and found to have been negligent in carrying out their duties or had committed irregularities will be dealt with without fear or favour if they are unable to provide credible explanations on their actions," he told a briefing at the Prime Minister's office here today.

He said if need be, regulatory authorities like the Anti-Corruption Agency, would be called in to deal with the wrong-doers mentioned in the report.

"In other instances, disciplinary action will be taken at the departmental or agency level," he said.

Asked when action would be taken, Sidek said soon and there was no need to wait until next year until the next AG's report.

He said the government took a serious view of the offences and would not condone the actions of a few who had tarnished the image of the civil service.

He said next year's AG report would contain information on the actions that had been taken against the wrong-doers as well as corrective measures to prevent a recurrence of the mistakes.

The 2006 AG's report, issued in early September, revealed several cases of mismanagement of public funds by a number of ministries involving the purchase of items and equipment costing more than triple their market price.

Sidek said the government was serious in tackling corruption and effecting a better delivery system within the civil service.

He said a number of government personnel had been transferred or demoted for failing to perform their duties satisfactorily.

Sidek said Pemudah (Pasukan Petugas Khas Pemudahcara Perniagaan), a body entrusted to deal with ways to tackle bureaucracy and facilitate a better delivery system, had been helping the government in a number of areas.

He said these included getting more ministries and departments to provide on-line services to help the public and reduce the waiting time.

Sidek said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had been instrumental in initiating various measures aimed at improving the civil service, effecting a better delivery system, cutting red tape and combating corruption.