The Information Department has confirmed it issued a circular to freeze applications for personal or unofficial trips overseas from May 1.

Information Department director-general Ibrahim Abdul Rahman, however, said that the requirement was strictly for the department's personnel who are applying for leave for unofficial trips overseas.

The circular was meant is for Information Department staff only, and not all civil servants, he said in a statement posted on the department’s Facebook page

Many had speculated that the next general election was around the corner when the circular - dated Feb 28, 2017 - circulated online.

The circular stated that personal leave for overseas trips would be frozen from May 1 this year since the department had to prepare for the 14th general election.

Leave for haj, domestic travel unaffected

Ibrahim said that the circular was issued after several cases where the department’s officers were denied leave, despite already booking air tickets a year ago to enjoy lower fares.

“So when their leave application was not approved, they appealed by giving the reason that "the ticket was already booked and the flight date could not be postponed".

“Given how busy our job is and the various official programmes, the circular had to be issued to freeze the leave of our personnel, particularly those going on personal trips abroad.”

The freeze, however, would not affect individuals who are going for pilgrimage.

“Applications such as to perform ‘haji’ (annual Islamic pilgrimage) or ‘umrah’ (pilgrimage to Mecca) will be considered and given the approval.”

He added that the applications of those who needed to pay their last respects to their loved ones overseas would also be considered while those who wished to go for domestic travels could still send in their applications, he said.

Ibrahim said it had also been the department’s obligation to assist the Election Commission (EC) in conducting elections to ensure that they would run smoothly.

“Besides, the real duty of the Information Department is to propagate the policies of the government which is done continuously,” he added.