GEORGE TOWN: The Public Service Commission (PSC) is ready to give immediate approval for the appointment of frontliners applied by the Ministry of Health (MOH) in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Its chairman Tan Sri Zainal Rahim Seman said PSC would ensure that the appointment of MOH frontliners would be done efficiently and effectively to avoid delays for the appointment of frontliners under special needs public service such as the MOH.

“I was informed that the MOH needs more than 11,000 new staff in the fight against COVID-19 and in the last two weeks alone, almost 6,000 people have been appointed in the MOH...if more staff are needed, PSC will appoint (frontliners) according to MOH’s needs.

“In the current pandemic, PSC has given the approval for the appointment of MOH staff such as nurses and doctors,” he told Bernama yesterday.

Zainal Rahim said all the appointments were made on a contract basis and the frontliners would be absorbed as permanent staff based on their commitment and ability in carrying out their duties.

Meanwhile, Zainal Rahim said despite the uncertainties brought about by the pandemic, the recruitment of civil servants would run as usual, involving about 28,000 candidates every year.

-- BERNAMA