Dismissal of a public servant for cryptic comments requires substantive justification and clear reasoning, affirming the right to procedural fairness and protection against excessive punitive measures.

Abu Bakar Jais JCA:

Introduction

[1] This is an appeal lodged by the appellant against the decision of the learned High Court Judge ("HCJ") in dismissing an application pursuant to O 53 of the Rules of 2012 for judicial review. The relief sought by the appellant was for an order of certiorari to quash the 1st respondent's decision to dismiss the appellant from public-service.

[2] Also sought by the appellant was a declaration that the appellant was at all material times, and still is, an employee of the 2nd respondent and is therefore entitled to his salaries and benefits from the date of his dismissal.

Background Facts

[3] The appellant was a Diplomatic Officer Grade M44, placed in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the Second Secretary (Political, Economy, Training and Education) of the 2nd respondent.

[4] At the material time, 11 January 2017, the appellant was stationed and held his post at the Malaysian Embassy in Manila, Philippines.

[5] He had posted comments on the Facebook of the then Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato' Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak ("DS Najib"). The appellant's comments then led to disciplinary action being taken against him.

[6] Upon learning of the death of Tan Sri Adenan Satem, the Chief Minister of Sarawak, DS Najib, wrote a condolence message in his Facebook. The appellant responded to this message by writing his comments as follows:

'Kesian. Hilang kwn, hilang deposit'

Translation - 'Pity. Lost a friend, lost the deposit'

[7] Premised on the above statement, disciplinary proceedings were commenced against the appellant. The Chairman of the Disciplinary Board of the Public Service Management Group (No 2) (Pengerusi Lembaga Tatatertib Perkhidmatan Awam Kumpulan Pengurusan (No 2)) made a determination under r 35(2) of the Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993 ("1993 Regulations") that the disciplinary proceeding against the appellant was with the intention of dismissal or reduction in rank under r 37 of the 1993 Regulations.

[8] The Chairman then referred the disciplinary proceedings against the appellant to the Chairman of the Disciplinary Authority of the Public Services Commission ("PSC or 1st respondent") who is empowered to proceed accordingly under the said r 37 of the 1993 Regulations.

[9] The Chairman of the Disciplinary Authority of the PSC, having considered all the available information, found a prima facie case against the appellant and directed that he be charged under r 19(1)(b) of the 1993 Regulations.

[10] The charge presented against the appellant read as follows:

Bahawa tuan, Nazrul Imran bin Mohd Nor (KP: 780203-05-5395), Pegawai Tadbir dan Diplomatik Gred M44, semasa bertugas sebagai Setiausaha Kedua di Kedutaan Besar Malaysia, Manila, Filipina, Kementerian Luar Negeri, pada 11 January 2017 melalui akaun laman Facebook Nazrul Imran telah membuat pernyataan 'Kesian. Hilang kwn, hilang deposit' dalam ruangan komen laman Facebook Najib Razak yang merupakan laman Facebook rasmi YAB Dato' Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak, Perdana Menteri Malaysia bertarikh 11 January 2017 pada jam 2.51 petang yang merakamkan ucapan takziah di atas kematian Ketua Menteri Sarawak. Pernyataan tuan tersebut yang disifatkan menghina, mengeji dan mengutuk YAB Perdana Menteri Malaysia selaku ketua pemerintahan tertinggi Kerajaan Malaysia boleh memalukan dan memburukkan imej dan nama Kerajaan Malaysia serta boleh menimbulkan persepsi negatif di kalangan orang awam.

Perbuatan tuan boleh disifatkan sebagai melanggar subperaturan 19(1)(b). Peraturan-peraturan Pegawai Awam (Kelakuan dan Tatatertib) 1993 seperti berikut:

'seseorang pegawai tidak boleh, secara lisan atau bertulis atau dengan apa-apa cara membuat apa-apa pernyataan awam yang boleh memalukan atau memburukkan nama Kerajaan'

Perbuatan tuan tersebut juga boleh ditafsirkan sebagai berkelakuan dengan sedemikian cara sehingga memburukkan nama atau mencemarkan nama perkhidmatan awam dan tidak bertanggungjawab iaitu bercanggah dengan subper