PETALING JAYA: Civil servants appointed by the new government into various positions in the ministries have become victims of "sabotage" by those out to derail plans by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration.

This has occurred in at least three ministries, resulting in the removal of a senior civil servant, who allegedly masterminded the sabotage at one ministry.

Sources revealed that a number of senior civil servants – mainly those who had strong links with the previous administration – were involved in the plot.

One "victim" said he was targeted soon after he was appointed to a senior position in one of the ministries.

"It was obvious that some senior staff were not happy with my appointment.

"However, as my appointment letter was signed by the minister concerned as well as Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, they could not do anything about it.

"Recently, I received a call from someone claiming to be from the Public Service Department (PSD), who said my appointment was not legitimate as I did not possess certain credentials."

He said the "PSD officer" claimed he had been instructed by the Prime Minister's Office to "get rid" of those who were not qualified.

"I suspected something amiss and contacted PSD personally and was informed there was no such thing, and that all appointments to the minister's office was at his prerogative.

"I also managed to trace the number and after confirming where it originated, I informed the minister concerned," he said.

Another senior staff told theSun of a similar incident where work done by him was constantly undermined and ridiculed by certain senior staff.

"The minister concerned has been made aware of this attempt to discredit and get us out. Those affected are waiting for further instructions on the next step to take, which is probably to lodge reports, either with the police or the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission," he said.

A source revealed that since most Pakatan Harapan ministers were first-timers, the senior staff concerned probably felt they were "easy" targets.

Those affected said they believe those responsible had some other malicious agenda.

"Since the ministers are new, they often depend on their officers for advice and to carry out the PH agenda.

"By targeting and getting rid of the "minister's men", we believe they want to create chaos and in turn, derail the PH government's plans."

The source pointed out that the resignation of Numan Afifi Saadan, who was assisting Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman, could have also possibly been due to sabotage.

"Some of these senior officers are allegedly close to figures in the former Barisan Nasional (BN) government and have found they are unable to work or do things like 'the good old days' under BN," the source said.

Since the PH administration, numerous kickbacks and goodies have ceased, which include gifts like hampers and other freebies.

Soon after taking office, Mahathir had raised concerns that the loyalty of some civil servants was still with the BN government.

He added that corruption was entrenched in the civil service, and it was hard to find clean and capable officers to replace corrupt heads.