(a) enabling an officer who is the spouse of a member of the administration to accompany the spouse in attending official functions or performing official duties or if the attendance of the spouse is required at such functions or official duties;

(b) enabling an officer to follow the spouse-

(i) if the spouse of the officer is required to perform official duties within or outside Malaysia; and

(ii) if the spouse of the officer is granted leave within or outside Malaysia; or

(c) enabling an officer to accompany and look after any member of his family receiving long medical treatment within or outside Malaysia.

(2) For purpose of paragraph (1) (b) (i), official duties also means the situation where an officer is directed to transfer or hold a post for a period exceeding six months, whether within or outside Malaysia.

(3) Before any leave is approved under paragraph (1), the State Secretary shall ensure that-

(a) the officer has exhausted all his vacation leave, unrecorded leave or any other leave with full-pay which may be used by the officer; and

(b) the approval of such leave will not be inconsistent with any direction issued by the Government from time to time.

(4) The duration of leave that may be approved to an officer under paragraph (1) shall not exceed one year at any one time but may be allowed to be extended from year to year on the application of the officer, for a period not exceeding four years or any other maximum period prescribed by Government from time to time.

(5) Any leave approved under this General Order shall be without pay and if such leave is approved to an officer who has not been confirmed in service, the probationary period of such officer shall be extended for the duration of the approved leave without pay.

(6) An officer who has been granted leave under this General Order-

(a) will lose his seniority in the service for the period the officer is on such leave; and

(b) will not be considered for promotion during the period for which he was on such leave.