Keep transforming to serve better, CM tells civil service

MIRI: The state civil service must continue to transform itself to become more people-friendly and be effective implementers of government policies.

Engaging the public is crucial in the decision-making process, said Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem, adding he did not want to see civil servants passing the buck or making “good” excuse to cover their shortcomings.

He stressed that a policy was only as good as its implementation, and as a former minister of social development and agriculture, he had seen enough of badly implemented policies.

“I do not believe in “good” excuses as anyone can come up with good excuses. Just get it (the job) done,” he said at the opening of the three-day High Performance Team Retreat (HPTR) 2014 here yesterday.

HPTR is an annual assembly of top state civil servants in the state, comprising permanent secretaries of ministries, head of the government departments, statutory bodies, residents and chief executive officers of state government-linked companies.

Adenan reminded those present that it was wrong for heads of departments to blame their junior officers should things go awry because as leaders they were ultimately responsible for the smooth implementation of government projects and policies.

“Do not leave problem solving to junior officers. As the head you must assume responsibility as delegation does not mean dereliction of duties.”

Advising department heads to keep abreast with global changes and trends, he said: “We cannot rely on solutions that worked yesterday, and hope for the same or better results today.

“We we need to listen to the ever-changing demand of our public, regardless of whether it is Generation X or Y, business community, NGO or civil society.

“Different time calls for different ways in responding to the needs of the people.”

Adenan said one area the state civil service needed to work on is public relations and communication skills.

For instance, there was a need to counter the barrage of criticisms hurled at the government by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) over the building of dams in the state.

On the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE), he said it provided a good opportunity to narrow income disparity prevailing in the state, and, in addition, he did not want Sarawakians to be mere spectators of the economic activities spewing from SCORE.

“I have always said that per capita income is meaningless. The disparity of income between the top 10 percent and the bottom 20 to 30 percent should be narrowed with greater participation of the people.”

Adenan later launched the Sarawak Facts and Figures portal that provides accurate and up-to-date matters relating to the economic, social development and environmental management of the state.

Meanwhile, State Secretary Tan Sri Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Gani called upon all government bodies to score highly on delivery while keeping their ears on the ground as they moved forward.

He added that he expected them to continue to be result oriented.

On the HPTR, he said the gathering would discuss two new key subjects – Sarawak Excellent Administration and Legal Services.

In addition, he said, this year’s HPTR aimed to map out an integrated approach strategy between state and federal government agencies in the state to enhance productivity.

-originally posted on Borneo Post, 8 April 2014