DBKL transfers 14 senior officers

Source: http://thestar.com.my/metro (By BAVANI M and JAYAGANDHI JAYARAJ, 18/3/2010)

FEDERAL Territories and Urban WellBeing Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin has urged certain parties not to politicise the tranfer of several senior officers from the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL). “It is a normal practice to have this cross over sessions as a means to share knowledge and expertise. “We don’t want DBKL to be a closed-up organisation with no information on what goes on outside,” Nong Chik said. The minister added that he wanted DBKL officers transferred out to look at it as a learning experience.

On the point highlighted by Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng that the transfers were due to corruption and incompetence and that the officers should be investigated by the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC), Nong Chik said it was untrue. “If they are guilty, we will take action against them and not transfer them. That will be absurd,” he said.

On Monday, 14 senior civil servants, including two heads of departments from DBKL were transferred to various ministries and government-linked companies under a programme called “cross fertilisation.” This is an exchange programme between employees from the Government and government-linked companies (GLCs) to make them more professional and efficient. A source from the DBKL said those who had received their letters of transfer were DBKL Health Department director Dr Zainol Ariffin Pawanchee and Zainol Ahmad from the Administration Department. The transfer also involved other senior officers from various departments who would be moved to various ministries such as the Federal Territories and Urban WellBeing Ministry, Labuan Corporation and other GLCs. “The programme was launched last year by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and is aimed at providing an insight and exposure, said the source. “The idea is to develop high performance leaders with a strong understanding of government practices as well as expedite transfer of knowledge and expertise,” he said. DBKL is the first local authority involved in the programme and according to the source, other local governments will soon follow suit. Ideally officers are exchanged over a period of two years.

When contacted, Dr Zainol confirmed the transfer and said he viewed it as a positive move. “My area of jurisdiction will be bigger and I will also be in charge of Putrajaya,’’ he said, adding that he would be the deputy director of the FT Health Department.