Khalid accuses chief secretary of sabotaging state
By Adip Zalkapli, The Malaysian Insider
Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim accused Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Sidek Hassan today of sabotaging the state with the appointment of new state secretary.
Khalid insisted that the appointment of Datuk Mohd Khusrin Munawi is unconstitutional and that Sidek should have consulted the state government.
“In naming Datuk Khusrin Munawi , the chief secretary had disregarded the selection process which is in line with the civil service practice notes as prepared by the state civil service commission which seeks advice from the public civil service at the federal level,” said Khalid in a statement today.
“Needless to say, Tan Sri Mohd Sidek’s acts are unconstitutional, irresponsible and unprofessional which can be construed as a political act in an attempt to sabotage the credibility of the Pakatan Rakyat Government in Selangor,” he added
The country’s richest state has been in turmoil since Khusrin, who currently heads the state Islamic affairs department, was handed the state secretary post which has received the consent of the Sultan of Selangor.
The state government has maintained that it has not finalised on a candidate, saying that Khalid has not been informed officially.
Khalid has also formed a committee headed by Selangor Assembly Speaker Datuk Teng Chang Khim which had shortlisted three names that were submitted to the palace.
Palace officials have however maintained the mentri besar was “late” in forwarding his choice of candidates with Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah’s aide Datuk Mohamad Munir Bani saying that Khalid had sent in three shortlisted candidates on December 7, but by then the Ruler had already agreed to the federal government’s pick.
A swearing-in ceremony before Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has also been scheduled for January 6, which is expected to be boycotted by Pakatan Rakyat (PR) lawmakers.
Today, Khalid also accused Sidek of compromising meritocracy in selecting Khusrin as the new state secretary.
“Tan Sri Mohd Sidek has sent out an unhealthy message to civil servants that merits and ability are not priorities in promoting government servants who are already facing criticisms for being ineffective and incompetent,” said Khalid.
“When he announced Datuk Khusrin’s appointment, the Chief Secretary had not only bypassed the mentri besar but he had wilfully disregarded a process which had picked the best candidates based on their ability, calibre and experience,” he added.
