PUTRAJAYA, Feb 11 — Civil servants need to set their aspirations and commitment with more forward-looking initiatives through the principles of S.W.I.F.T – speed, world-class knowledge, inspirational, flexible and technology-based – in line with the country’s current situation to enter the endemic phase, said Chief Secretary to the Government (KSN) Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali.
Explaining the principles to civil servants in a hybrid Majlis Amanat 2022 programme today, Mohd Zuki said the principle of ‘speed’ requires civil servants to quickly make decisions and take action in any given situation so as to achieve the government’s aspiration that gives priority to good performance and service for the people.
Under the principle of ‘world-class knowledge’, Mohd Zuki said civil servants can no longer be seen as ‘syok sendiri’ (self-absorbed) with their jobs and activities but should look into the best practices in other countries that can be emulated and set as a benchmark in getting things done.
He said the implementation of the National Vaccine Development Roadmap (PPVN), which will pave the way for Malaysia to produce its own vaccines that are of quality, effective and safe, was indeed an example of world-class knowledge and effort.
“This will enable our country to be at par with the developed countries in the production of vaccines, hence reducing our dependency on imported vaccines,” he said.
Mohd Zuki said it was very important for the secretaries-general and heads of departments to be inspirational leaders for their subordinates and they, as well as civil servants in general, must also be flexible and not too rigid on policies and regulations in order to ease and smoothen public service delivery, especially in critical situations.
“Observations on social media show that the majority of the people also appreciated such flexibility as the people, especially victims of disasters, can get government’s aid without going through unnecessary red tape and bureaucracy,” he said.
Under the last principle of technology-based, Mohd Zuki said it was equally important for civil servants to have technology-based knowledge and skills in performing their daily tasks.
“The use of technology is critical to ensure public services can be delivered faster and in a comprehensive manner,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mohd Zuki also called on all civil servants to intensify efforts to strengthen integrity and governance through the implementation of initiatives under the Organisational Anti-Corruption Plan (OACP) developed by their respective agencies.
“Integrity is something that involves three things in us. Our mind, our lust, and our action. If our mind fails to control our lust, then we will act in violation of our own integrity.
“If left unchecked, this will become cancer that will spread to the entire organisation and give a bad name to public service,” he said.
Mohd Zuki said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had stated that civil servants were the main contributor in the achievement of more than 90 per cent of the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in the 100 days of Malaysian Family Aspirations.
“Therefore, it is very important for us, the civil servants, to work together as a Malaysian Family to revive the country, and further achieve the status of a developed and high-income nation,” he said.
