Takiyuddin advises top govt servants to be careful when talking about the law

KOTA BHARU: Heads of services in the government are advised to be more careful when speaking about the law and to refrain from making interpretations based on emotions, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan.

He said no one should arbitrarily interpret the provisions of the constitution because the law is clear.

''I wish to say that as a minister looking after the public service, I want to advise civil servants, government officers especially heads of services in the government to be more careful when talking about matters related to law.

"For example, Article 140 of the constitution clearly states that for the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), there is a commission named the Police Force Commission (SPP).

''This is the commission which will handle matters related to promotions, discipline, welfare and so on of police personnel totalling almost 130,000,'' he said.

He told reporters this after a programme to hand over Aidilfitri contributions to Imams at Friday Mosques, volunteers and village heads in the Kota Bharu parliamentary constituency here today.

Takiyuddin said the constitution clearly states that SPP must be chaired by the minister responsible for the police, and in this context it is the Home Minister.

''So, no one should question this; it is a constitutional provision. If there is any issue or problem in the administration of a department, I believe government servants would not divulge this matter at an inappropriate place.

''They can reveal it in a meeting at the ministerial level, commission. It is not appropriate for a government servant to expose it in the mass media,'' he said.

Takiyuddin, who is also Kota Bharu Member of Parliament, said in terms of administration, such an action was tantamount to turning their back on or condemning the government.

"I am not saying government servants cannot give their views or criticise but they should use the proper channel,'' he said.

On the issue of penalties for violation of COVID-19 prevention standard operating procedure (SOP), Takiyuddin said those who failed to settle the compounds for such offences could be charged under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).

-- BERNAMA