Communications Ministry Senior Officer Put On Leave Over Alleged Misconduct

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A senior officer at the Communications Ministry has been put on leave after allegations of misconduct surfaced yesterday.
Without naming the ministry or the official, Chief Secretary to the Government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said that the officer was put on ice with immediate effect, while a probe has been initiated.
"If the officer is found to be guilty of the said offence, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken in line with the disciplinary rules for civil servants," Shamsul said in a statement yesterday.
Chief Secretary to the Government Shamsul Azri Abu BakarThis came after a video began circulating on social media, alleging that the senior officer had been caught committing khalwat (close proximity) with a woman at a hotel in Sabah.
The video showed several enforcement officers standing in the hallway of a hotel, while the officer and the woman - both fully clothed - could be seen through a slightly ajar room door.
The enforcers were reportedly from the Sabah Islamic Department.
The ministry's senior officer was in Sabah accompanying Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil on a two-day working visit to the state.
He was spotted together with the minister at events.
Communications Minister Fahmi FadzilCommenting on the matter, Fahmi said there needs to be space for the issue to be investigated.
"I have been made to understand that this matter is under investigation by the chief secretary and the Public Service director-general.
"As such, we should give space for investigations to be carried out in accordance with rules for civil service," he was quoted as saying by Berita Harian yesterday. - Mkini

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