Federal Public Service throughout the Federation of Malaysia should remain with the appropriate Federal Service Commission which will have jurisdiction over all officers in services which become Federal services on Malaysia day. We would strongly urge that the appropriate Federal Service Commission should take steps to enable the exercise of any of its functions in the Borneo region by a Borneo officer of the Federal service or a Board composed of a representative of the Commission concerned and some Borneo officers of the service to which its jurisdiction extends. Internal control recruitment and promotion of Federal officers within the region should be carried out by such a Board.
207. We have dealt with the question of the transfer of powers and the need for the gradual transfer of functions from the State Government to the Central Government in Federal matters. The relationship between State Governments and a Central Government often give rise to various difficulties which require patient and careful adjustments. We have no reason to expect that they will be fewer or less difficult in this instance, but we are confident that on the basis of our recommendations and with a reasonable approach by all concerned these difficulties can in time be overcome. We would like however to make one or two observations which might be helpful not only for the purpose of meeting immediate requirements but also as a long-term and permanent arrangement.
208. As a result of the transfer of powers, certain officers connected with the subjects transferred to the Federal List will be regarded as Federal officers and their posts would likewise become Federal posts. This implies that their scheme of service and the regulations governing their employment will be subject to Federal arrangements. We feel, however, that an officer so affected should not be made transferable to any other part of the Federation without his consent nor should his terms and conditions of service be affected unless he decides to opt for the terms of the general Federal service. His promotion prospects within the area of his original service should likewise not be pre- judiced as a result of Malaysia.
209. Although it should, of course, be the ultimate aim that there should be uniformity in terms and conditions of service, we recognise that to subject the Federal posts in Sarawak and North Borneo to any general Federal arrange- ments immediately on Malaysia would present certain problems. For example, certain conditions regarding the recruitment of officers to the Federal Public Service for the existing Federation, such as the application of a quota system, may not be appropriate in the case of the Federal Public Service in Borneo. We think, therefore, that subject to any recommendation of the Advisory Board regarding the special position of the indigenous people which we recommended above (paragraph 190 (h)) and of the Joint Working Party (Administration), regarding the existing qualifications for appointment and conditions of service of officers who would become Federal officers in Borneo territories, the present practice should continue.
210. In the case of the uniformed services, we think that nothing should be done until after a suitable period to standardise their uniforms with the rest of the Federation and that in any case this should only be done if considered absolutely necessary. We regard this as particularly important in relation to the Police Force.
