Transfers, cold storage for 'anti-Umno' civil servants!

Former education ministry official joins PAS

By Lisa J. Ariffin

June 17, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR, June 17 — PAS has welcomed yet another notable civil service personality into its ranks, boosting its bid to shore up voter support ahead of national polls pivotal to Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) future.
Ahmad Zabidi Shamsuddin, who was formerly an Education Ministry school inspector and Terengganu education department director, submitted his registration form to the party’s spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat last night at PAS’ “Green Rally to Putrajaya” event in Perak to galvanise its ranks for the 13th general elections.
The party’s organ Harakah Daily reported the event was attended by over 30,000 people.
In his speech last night, Ahmad Zabidi, who served in the government for 33 years, said oppression was rife in the civil service, and “those who do not support BN would be punished by being stationed far away from home”.
“Staff were transferred not by the orders of the education director, but on the insistence of BN and Umno leaders,” he said, adding this practice was still going on in the government sector.
Ahmad Zabidi explained Umno’s secular policies were the driving force behind his decision to join PAS.
Previously, PAS had successfully recruited former land and cooperatives secretary-general Datuk Profesor Dr Nik Zain Nik Yusof, who submitted his registration form to party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang during the party’s rally in Alor Setar.
Former senior policeman Datuk Fauzi Shaari also joined PAS last month, scoring a major point for the Islamist party.
The ex-criminal investigation department (CID) chief, the third highest office in the force, was reportedly known for busting vice activities in the capital city.
His strong anti-vice stand at the time was criticised by a minister, whom Harakah reported had said would deter tourists from visiting the country.
Fauzi was reported as saying his reason for joining the Islamist party was not to contest in the general election, which must be held within the year, or other similar considerations but to help PAS in its religious efforts.
Harakah reported last night that Nik Zain too has pledged to work and help PAS in its fight for Islam.
Fauzi, who is from Pantai Besar, Batu Kurau, Perak, was also cited as saying he would help campaign for PR, especially PAS, through various organised talks.
Fauzi was first rumoured to be joining PAS a month ago along with former Bukit Aman commercial crimes investigation chief Datuk Ramli Yusoff and ex-Umno Cabinet minister Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir.
The Malaysian Insider also reported that PAS wants Ramli and Abdul Kadir to contest in the upcoming general election.
But Ramli and Abdul Kadir have denied that they have already joined PAS.
Abdul Kadir, who quit Umno earlier this year after accusing the party of being plagued by money politics, has since formed his own political party, Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (Ikatan), to bolster opposition against Barisan Nasional (BN) in the next general election.

I heard of stories told by my colleague whose mother and sister (or sister-in-law) were teachers in government schools. Knowing the her mother was a PAS supporter, her record mysteriously went missing from the electoral roll while her sister was put in cold storage for voting for PAS.