The suspension of the Public Sector Reform Unit (PSRU) director has sparked concerns about political influence over institutional reforms.

The Director of the Public Sector Reform Unit (PSRU), Sulaiman Phoray-Musa, has been suspended following concerns about political interference in the management and functional review of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC).

A letter from the Secretary to the President cited issues raised by the ICPNC regarding the final report and its implementation. Patrick M. Kawa, Director of Management Services at the Human Resource Management Office, has been assigned to oversee PSRU operations during the review process. However, this decision has led to speculation about the motives behind Phoray-Musa’s suspension.

Some civil servants believe the suspension is linked to his refusal to alter the MFR recommendations, which reportedly created tensions with political figures. The move has also raised legal concerns, as PSRU operates under the Ministry of Public Administration and Political Affairs rather than the Office of the President.

Adding to the controversy, sources claim that personal interests may have influenced the decision. The Secretary to the President’s wife serves as ICPNC’s Director of Finance, leading to questions about potential conflicts of interest in the commission’s restructuring. The abrupt changes to ICPNC’s organizational structure have fueled further speculation.

The Secretary to the President has also issued a directive requiring all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to report directly to him, raising concerns about the roles of other top government officials, including the Vice President and Chief Minister.

A senior civil servant praised Phoray-Musa’s work, questioning why ICPNC’s review was treated differently from others. The PSRU’s review process is a key part of institutional reforms aligned with the government’s agenda, but these recent developments have cast doubt on the integrity of the process.

As the situation unfolds, calls for transparency and impartiality in government reforms continue to grow.