Govt will empower public sector, says Muhyiddin

KUALA LUMPUR: Perikatan Nasional’s key agenda is to empower the public sector, which was not spared the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

“One of the greatest challenges for us now is to deliver services and aid, especially to those in the interior who are restricted by (the lack of) facilities, such as basic infrastructure and Internet coverage,” Muhyiddin said in his address to civil servants at the Waterfront Hotel in Kuching, Sarawak.

He said empowering the sector was an important agenda that was stressed by his administration.

“The focus of the government is on ensuring efficient and peoplefriendly delivery of public services.” He said this was to enable aid and messages to be channelled to groups.

He added that there was a need to reduce bureaucracy to help people, such as those living in villages and rural areas.

“Local authorities, for example should study rules that can be improved.”

He said application processes should be simplified for the people, businessmen, entrepreneurs and investors.

Civil servants, he added, should adapt to the new norm by embracing digitalisation.

“The government realises the importance of the service sector as the catalyst for driving the public sector, as an enabler for change, especially in the field of digitalisation.

“We are committed to spearheading the transformation towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0).”

He said the government had set up the Digital Economy and Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Council to determine policies, implementation and monitoring of strategies for the transformation.

In February, the government had introduced MyDigital, or the Digital Economic Blueprint for Malaysia.

“Among the targets are to transform the digital sector in the public services while creating 100 civil servants who are digitalsavvy to ensure that 80 per cent of government services are online by 2025.

“I hope all of you can continue to play your part as enablers for this shift in dealing with the public and communities in line with the agenda of digital empowerment.”

He said the widespread use of technology in public services post-Covid-19 gave the public sector an added value.

He also said the government was attentive to civil servants and it had given those holding Grade 56 positions and below a one-off payment of RM600.

He added that the government had contributed to Sarawak through the construction of the Leadership Park project (I- Lead) and the upgrade of the Intan campus in Sarawak.