Malaysia’s Public Service Department (JPA) has confirmed that the likely penalty for Federal Public Servants who weren’t vaccinated against COVID-19 by 1 November was a termination of contract.
Director-General of the JPA, Mohd Khairul Adib Abd Rahman previously said that only workers would face “disciplinary action”.
In a circular, the Department said all Public Servants were responsible for obtaining complete COVID-19 immunisation as prescribed by the Government.
“This is to ensure a safe work environment and (that) service delivery … and Public Service productivity is at an optimal level,” JPA said.
“Civil Servants who could not be vaccinated due to health reasons need to be certified by a registered medical practitioner.”
JPA said Department heads could instruct their staff to undergo a COVID-19 test if they had been confirmed unfit to be inoculated for health reasons.
“In addition, Department heads can, at any time, instruct staff who have not been vaccinated to undergo COVID-19 screening at their own expense,” it said.
“For those who are not eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19 due to health reasons, the Government will bear the cost of COVID-19 tests.”
The Department said all Public Servants were constitutionally bound by the Letters of Undertaking they signed when joining the bureaucracy and they must obey a lawful demand of the Government.
Kuala Lumpur, 23 October 2021
