Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and minister of Defence II Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof on the fourth day of the First Meeting’s of the 22nd sessions of The Legislative Council (LegCo) yesterday outlined several reasons o the prolonged acting appointments for strategic positions.
The question was raised by LegCo member Yang Berhormat Hajah Rosmawatty binti Haji Abdul Mumin on a update on the current actions regarding prolonged acting appointment for strategic positions and the rehire of retirees on a contractual basis.
The Minister shared the factors contributing to the issue of prolonged acting appointments for positions in Division I are the eligibility requirements for holding the positions held have not been met, including length of service, performance grade , Professional accreditation and required competencies, Involvement in pending audit issues or screening, a list of project that are not to be held, the ongoing restructuring process within the ministry, which affect existing position and the planning and the staffing requirements for each payroll; and the lack of suitable candidates to fill the position, even through advertising.
In addressing the issues of prolonged acting appointment in division 1, the minister highlighted “efforts have been made through the updating of relevant regulations and requirements. Following this update there have been positive result with 82 positions being filled from October 2020 to December 2025 for officers who have been acting in those posts for at least one year.
‘Some 103 officers, who were previously unable to be supported due to not meeting the requirement of passing two working papers, have now been considered for filing the relevant positions. As an additional effort, he said, “The Public Service Department and the Public Service Commission often hold bilateral meetings with the relevant ministries, including from the perspective of capabilities in preparing strategic Project Lists, as well as other core requirement.”
Regarding the rehire of retires on a contractual basis, the minister said, “The number is not very high and is subject to actual needs based on specific knowledge, competencies, and experience to ensure the continuity of the required tasks. The total number of contractual officers (both local and foreign), excluding those form Public Higher Education Institutions (IPTA), is 652.
“Of this total, only 56 are former local retirees filling positions in Division I, which includes experts and professionals such as in the medical field and senior officers (such as permanent secretaries, deputy permanent secretaries and heads of departments).”
He added, “To ensure that the process of filling positions is carried out in a planned manner and the period of holding acting position in not prolonged, ministries and their department must play a key role in providing complete strong and merit-based promotion support for senior officers who are deemed qualified to fill the vacant positions. Ministries/departments should also review the succession planning more holistically, at least five years before the retirement of officers in these strategic positions.”
(news source: Borneo Bulletin; pic source: Info Foto, Jabatan Penerangan)
