For three months from June 1, the civil service will not be hiring or filling vacancies brought about by death or retirement among its ranks.
Public Service director-general Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Abdullah said the decision made by the Cabinet Committee on Employment and Salaries in the Civil Service was in line with plans to rationalise the public service.
The committee, chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, made the decision on May 6.
“Apart from rationalising the public service, the aim is also to create a leaner workforce,” said Abu Bakar in a service circular.
There are currently some 1.2 million employees in service.
The directive, he said would include the hiring of employees by state governments, statutory bodies, local councils and federal departments.
However, Abu Bakar said candidates who have been called for interviews prior to the directive would still be considered for positions.
“It is my hope that ministries and agencies would not be submitting requests for restructuring or to recruit staff during the three-month period,” he said.
Abu Bakar said the PSD would audit all government departments and agencies to ensure they had sufficient staff.
Cuepacs president Datuk Omar Osman said they agreed with the PSD's decision to freeze intake for three months but said existing vacancies should be filled.
“It is fine with us if the three month freeze is to allow the PSD to conduct an audit on the number of employees in the civil service.
“But it should fill vacancies. We need the present number of employees to serve the country's 27 million population,” he said, adding that by Cuepacs estimates, the civil service needs an additional 100,000 employees.
Cuepacs is the umbrella organisation for unions in the public service.
Cuepacs said most departments and agencies would have vacancies as it took time to fill them.
