KUCHING: State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki has set his sights on a lofty goal – he wants to transform the state civil service into a world-class institution.
To do so he is placing much emphasis on the 3R principle: ‘Revisit’, ‘Rethink’ and ‘Recharge’.
Explaining the 3R principle, he said it is necessary to review existing procedures and processes within the civil service to enhance efficiency and relevance in the modern digital age.
If certain processes can be simplified with the latest technology, he said, the civil servants must learn to change and improve in order to remain relevant in the public sector of the modern digital world.
For instance, he said, if a procedure can be done with five steps now, why insist on following 10 steps which were introduced maybe 10 or 20 years ago?
“We need to revisit the various procedures and processes and rethink the ways we do things,” he said.
He said this when receiving a courtesy call from Suara Sarawak and New Sarawak Tribune, led by its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Datuk Dr Jeniri Amir, New Sarawak Tribune Editor-in-Chief Aden Nagrace, Executive Editor Rohana Wahed, Senior Manager Corporate Business Division Dorge Rajah, at Wisma Bapa here Tuesday.
Abu Bakar also said the civil servants need to recharge themselves, which means to be responsive with government initiatives, policies and major announcements.
“Don’t be stagnant, but be responsive with what’s happening in Sarawak and globally. If the Premier (Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg) announces some new ideas, go and find out what it is and how to contribute towards it.
“Anyone who refuses to change or acquire new skills and knowledge, they are no longer relevant. This is because our Premier is a leader who moves very fast; if he’s already at Gear 5, the state civil servants cannot remain at Gear 3, ” he stressed.
Allo said, he pointed out that it is crucial for all civil servants, regardless of position, race, agency and department, to work as one team.
“I don’t believe in working in isolation, without communicating with others, especially when serving the people and developing Sarawak. We need to work as one team,” he stressed.
“I also don’t want any personnel to (exhibit behaviour) as if they are more powerful than others as such attitudes hinder progress towards achieving world-class standards.”
Sarawak, he said, needs civil servants to be knowledgeable, highly effective, responsive, and proactive, particularly in light of rapid development and changing circumstances.
Therefore, he said, the Sarawak government has been sending its senior officers, especially heads of department to attend training programmes at renowned higher learning institutions abroad, such as Harvard University, the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Oxford Centre of Islamic Studies, among others.
On the overall performance of the state civil service, he expressed satisfaction while acknowledging areas for improvement, particularly in procedures, practices, and project implementation.
“Of course, there are areas we still need to improve as we still receive complaints from the public,” he stated.
Additionally, he mentioned plans to outsource certain tasks, such as maintenance of facilities and infrastructure, to boost the private sector.
