S’gor govt asked for Selayang council president’s transfer, says Chief Secretary

(The Star) – The termination of the secondment of Datuk Zainal Abidin A’ala as the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) president, which took effect Thursday, was made upon a request from the Selangor government, said Chief Secretary to the Government Datuk Seri Dr Ali Hamsa.

He said he was informed by the Selangor State Secretary, through a letter dated Oct 15, 2012, that Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim had decided that another officer should replace Zainal Abidin.

“Taking into account the decision made by the Selangor Mentri Besar and the local authority, the Public Service Department (PSD) had on Nov 6 issued a letter of approval for the proposed termination of secondment of Zainal Abidin as MPS president effective Nov 15, 2012.

“The transfer letter for Zainal Abidin was issued on Nov 9, stating that he would be transferred to the National Institute of Public Administration (Intan) effective Nov 15, 2012 in line with the request from the Selangor government,” he told reporters here Friday.

Zainal Abidin’s sudden transfer to Intan had sparked controversy as it was said to have been connected to a 29-storey condominium project next to Batu Caves, Selangor.

Dr Ali said in order to fill the vacant top post at the council, the PSD had submitted the names of 14 suitable candidates for the Selangor government’s consideration, but it was learnt that the Selangor government already had their preferred candidate.