Director-General of Health Datuk Seri Dr Hasan Abdul Rahman, who was suspended following a 'khalwat' (close proximity) case, has been demoted to one grade lower than his Medical Officer Staff II Main Grade, the Public Service Commission (PSC) announced today.

PSC chairman Tan Sri Mahmood Adam said the decision was made at a meeting of the PSC today.

He said in a statement that the disciplinary action against Dr Hasan (pic) was taken under Regulation 33(1) of the Public Officers Regulations (Conduct and Discipline) 1993.

The PSC had decided on Nov 26 that Hasan be suspended pending a decision on the disciplinary action to be taken against him.

Mahmood also said that the PSC decided that Grade U41 nurse Wan Syarifah Nooraazmanita Wan Hassan, who was involved in the case, be subjected to a drop of three salary movements for a period of 12 months.

On Nov 14, Dr Hasan, 56, and Wan Syarifah Nooraazmanita, 36, were fined RM3,000 and RM2,900, respectively, by the Syariah High Court after they pleaded guilty to 'khalwat' (close proximity) at a room of the Putrajaya Pullman Hotel here at 2.18 am on that day.