MELAKA, Aug 7 — The government has, in principle, agreed to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and expedite the promotion process for personnel of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), bringing it in line with the promotion system for the rest of the public service.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said details of the new mechanism are expected to be announced during the Ambang Merdeka celebration at Stadium Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur on August 30.

He said Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar and Public Service director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz are currently finalising the implementation mechanism.

“We will give them a little more time,” he said when addressing the ‘Semarak Kenegaraan’ programme with MAF personnel at Terendak Camp here today.

Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar, Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari, Shamsul Azri and Army Chief Gen Tan Sri Azhan Md Othman.

Anwar said the issue of promotions for MAF officers was raised directly with him during his visit to Syed Sirajuddin Camp in Gemas, Negeri Sembilan, last month. — Bernama