KUALA LUMPUR (July 23): The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) on Wednesday reminded public servants to uphold their responsibilities under the law and abide by the terms of their service, ahead of the Turun Anwar rally to be held in Kuala Lumpur on July 26.
This follows Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar’s call for civil servants not to participate in the rally, saying that this would run counter to the tenet of "Loyalty to King and Country", as enshrined in the National Principles.
The rally — dubbed Himpunan Turun Anwar — is organised by opposition coalition Perikatan Nasional and seeks to oust Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. It is expected to draw between 10,000 and 15,000 participants.
In a statement on Wednesday, the AGC said public servants are bound by Surat Aku Janji (Letter of Undertaking) under subregulation 20(3) of the Public Officers (Appointment, Promotion and Termination of Service) Regulations 2012, which requires them to comply with all applicable rules, including the Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993, General Orders, circulars and other government directives issued from time to time.
Under these provisions, a public officer must, among others:
- At all times pledge loyalty to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the nation and the government;
- Not behave in a way that could tarnish or discredit the image of the public service; and
- Not make any public statement that could embarrass or bring disrepute to the government.
The AGC stressed that failure to comply with these rules may result in disciplinary action.
While Articles 10(1)(a) and 10(1)(b) of the Federal Constitution guarantee every citizen the right to freedom of speech and peaceful assembly, the AGC emphasised that these rights are not absolute.
“As such, all public gatherings remain subject to compliance with existing laws, including specific instructions issued by the authorities such as the directive from the chief secretary to civil servants,” the AGC added.