In a written parliamentary reply, Latiff said the government transferred civil servants based on several factors, including rotations and promotions.

“We also take into consideration the objectives of the national unity policy to strengthen unity among the races and national integration,” he said.

Latiff was responding to a question from Shafie Apdal (Warisan-Semporna) if it was a practice for problematic civil servants in Peninsular Malaysia to be transferred to Sabah and Sarawak.

In August, it was reported that nine policemen who were being investigated for extorting a businessman in Gombak, Selangor, were transferred to Sabah and Sarawak.

The move was criticised by several ministers from Sabah and Sarawak, who said their states were not dumping grounds.

Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor said he would seek an explanation over the transfers, adding that he was not informed about it.

The Sarawak state secretary’s office later said the federal authorities would review the transfer of the nine police officers, but there had been no updates since then.