Transfer of PJ mayor frozen, says Khalid

SHAH ALAM: THE Selangor government has frozen the transfer of Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman pending discussions with the Public Service Department (PSD) and state executive councillors.

Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, who announced the freeze yesterday, said the state wanted to decide on the most suitable candidate for the post.

He said Roslan would continue to serve as mayor for the time being.

"Discussions have to be held with the PSD and state executive councillors so that we can select those who we think is suitable for the post," he said after launching Universiti Selangor's (Unisel) research colloquium 2012 here.

The PSD letter to the Petaling Jaya City Council dated Sept 27 stated that Roslan was transferred to the Selangor state secretariat as deputy state secretary I (development) replacing Datuk Noordin Sulaiman effective on Oct 1 (Monday).

Khalid said the transfer was legal but it could not be carried out at the moment, considering its timing.

"We will decided in one or two weeks... Usually transfers are done at the beginning of the year," he said.

"The PSD has every right (to transfer) but it also may have no right. It has a right to transfer (government) staff but it has no right on the position," he said.

In Petaling Jaya, Roslan said he had not received any new directive from the PSD and would continue to serve the Petaling Jaya City Council.

He acknowledged, however, that as a government servant, he was "transferable".

"It is up to the government to transfer me... I just take orders and I must serve the people," said Roslan, who has served the council for the past seven years as mayor, after launching the PJ City Food Bank at PJ8 yesterday.

PJ City councillor Derek Fernandez, meanwhile, insisted that Roslan was still the mayor as the state authority had not revoked his appointment.

He said the directive, decision or instruction by the PSD was illegal and ultra vires.

"The Local Government Act 1976 stated that the power to appoint the mayor is a statutory power vested exclusively in the state authority."

The PSD could not be contacted for comments.

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