In 1855, the British set up the Civil Service Commission, on which Colonial Commissions would later be based.

The Public Services Salaries Commission of Malaya, under the chairmanship of Sir Harry Trusted, recommends the setting up of a Public Service Commission (PSC) in 1947.

In 1949, the PSC is constituted by the Public Services Commission Ordinance to advise the British governor on matters of recruitment, appointment and promotion of civil servants.