KUALA LUMPUR: Civil servants have been warned that disciplinary action, including termination, could be taken if there was evidence to show that the person had tarnished the image of the civil service or breached its rules.

In a seven-page reminder, Public Service Department (PSD) director-general Datuk Seri Mohd Shafiq reminded all public officers that the position they currently hold within the administration was a trust given to them.

"In matters related to the country's security and sovereignty, immediate action must be taken without compromise or favouritism against any public officer for carelessness or non-compliance, especially if it involves security at the main international entry and exit points," he said.

A trustworthy officer, he said, should always perform his or her duties with sincerity, responsibly and effectively in order to provide quality services to Malaysians. 

"Every public servant must be positive upon receiving views, suggestions or criticism from any stakeholder, including high-level officers, in an effort to improve the delivery of public service.

"A public official should show a responsive attitude towards feedback and complaints made by public service customers."

Shafiq said a public official who was reprimanded either by the public, supervisor, colleague or superior officer due to his or her unsatisfactory services should not respond by provoking the party who made the criticism.

"Extreme provocation to gain public attention or to use it as a material to make it 'viral' can be considered irresponsible and goes against the work culture of public officials, and the rules and laws in force," he said in a circular posted on the PSD Facebook page today.

Shafiq was referring to the Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) 1993, which, among other things, stated that the failure of civil servants to discharge their duties responsibly and with discipline is considered negligent on the part of their heads of department.

The circular came after the Immigration Services Union of Peninsular Malaysia demanded a public apology from Shafiq for allegedly berating an Immigration officer at the VIP lounge of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

However, JPA denied that Shafiq had publicly berated the officer, saying he had "rightly reprimanded" him for not complying with the standard operating procedure after the officer allegedly failed to check Shafiq's and his delegation's travel documents and passports.

Subsequently, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Zuki Ali said a special committee would be formed to investigate the incident.

Shafiq also told civil servants to refrain from making public statements, adding that they could lead to unwanted implications for the civil service and the government's good name.

He said the rules clearly stated that civil servants must not share fake news, defame or make accusations involving other public officers for their personal agenda.

"Civil servants are barred from misusing freedom of speech and technological advancement to achieve their personal agenda by breaching rules and laws, which have been an axis of the country's civil service.

"The PSD would not keep silent and allow public officers to be defamed or treated unfairly to fulfil the personal agenda of certain quarters," he said, adding that heads of department were responsible for monitoring their subordinates' performance.