Sec-gen’s transfer a normal procedure, says Salahuddin

Sec-gen’s transfer a normal procedure, says Salahuddin

Following 'sabotage' claim, the agriculture and agro-based industry minister says he did not interfere in the move.

KUALA LUMPUR: The transfer of the agriculture and agro-based industry ministry’s secretary-general Mohd Sallehhuddin Hassan to the Public Services Department (JPA) is a normal procedure, its minister Salahuddin Ayub said.

He said he did not interfere in the transfer, which was under the jurisdiction of Chief Secretary to the Government Ismail Bakar and JPA.

“Yesterday, I received a notice from the Public Services Department. There were four or five people who were transferred, some moved to other ministries,” Bernama quoted Salahuddin as saying at the Parliament lobby.

“I read (about the transfers) in the WhatsApp group, and there were no official denials, so I regard it as a normal decision (by the chief secretary and JPA). But I have not received the official notice.”

Asked if the transfer was linked to an internal investigation being conducted, he said he had not directed it or received any order to do so.

Yesterday, an Amanah leader had claimed that the secretary-general had sabotaged Salahuddin by carrying out a RM1.4 billion padi tender without the minister’s knowledge.

Salahuddin had admitted writing a support letter to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad that the tender be given to the National Farmers Organisation (Nafas).

He had said there was nothing wrong with writing the letter as the tender had not been decided yet.

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