ANN/THE STAR – Reform in the civil service should take place immediately as there is still room for improvement, said Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar pointed to several areas in which reforms had not reached satisfactory levels, including reports by department or agency heads on negligence and sluggishness among officials.
Speaking at the Prime Minister’s Department monthly gathering on Monday, Anwar then pointed to several other areas which need to be looked into.
This includes the merging of several departments and agencies as well as the overlapping of positions among officials.
“The administration that I helm demands good governance, a strong economy and the wellbeing of the people. This must be delivered,” he said.
Anwar said that speed and efficiency in the delivery of services must also be improved and be in accordance with public demand.
“How fast we answer public queries and correspondence is important. We must constantly find ways so that we provide satisfactory service to the people,” he added.
“I will discuss with the Chief Secretary to the Government and Public Service director-general on measures to improve performance,” he said without elaborating.
The Prime Minister also welcomed newly appointed Chief Secretary to the Government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar and called on civil servants to work as a team with him.
“We have a lot to do, especially in improving performance. Which is why it is important that all civil servants give their cooperation to the new KSN (chief secretary to the government),” he said.
Shamsul Azri was appointed to the post on August 7, replacing Mohd Zuki Ali, who retired on August 10.
The 55-year-old was the Public-Private Partnership Unit director-general prior to the appointment and has been in public service for 30 years.
