Hamid: Transfer not due to envy

PUTRAJAYA: Immigration Depart­ment enforcement chief Datuk Ishak Mohamed’s transfer which resulted in him opting for early retirement was purely an administrative move, Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said.
He dismissed talk that Ishak, popularly known as Pak Sako, was transferred due to envy from “higher-ups” or a falling out with the ministry.
“The minister cannot order the transfer of an officer out of a department. Transfers are handled by the Public Service Department,” he said.
It was earlier reported that Ishak had been transferred to the Selangor Domestic Trade and Consumer Af­­fairs enforcement division as its deputy director early this month.
However, he chose to retire.
Friday was his last day at the Immigration Department as he start­ed his two-week leave before retiring. He assumed the post in 2003.
The report quoted an Immigration Department source as saying that the transfer was because Ishak was popular and had received a lot of media coverage and this may have “caused uneasiness” among the VIPs or higher-ups in the ministry.
Asked for his opinion on why Ishak was transferred out when he had been an effective enforcement chief, Syed Hamid replied: “You had better ask the civil service.”
He said he believed there was an administrative policy whereby civil servants were often transferred out from a post if they were seen to be working there for too long.
“He (Ishak) has been there for some time, even before I became Home Minister,” he said.
Ishak, meanwhile, said he would finally get to catch up on his sleep.
“For the first two weeks, I want to sleep because I have not had enough of it since becoming the enforcement chief five years ago,” he said.
Ishak also pledged to help his wife with her business.
Ishak said he decided to opt for early retirement at 55 after being given a sudden transfer to the Domes­tic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minis­try.
“If I don’t retire, I will have to be transferred and I will lose my determination to serve.

tunku : why have to transfer an officer who is doing a very good job? WHY ? is it because he creates problems to some people who can't operates their usual "illegal business" ? as for ishak, he has only 2 years of service left , let him finish his work there. if he was not performing well or lack of integrity,then we understand the transfer. don't give reason that he has been there for a long time.if he is doing the best for the department and our country let him be there.