Make full use of digital applications, dept heads urged
KOTA KINABALU: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Yahya Hussin has urged heads of departments and senior officers to make full use of digital applications for smoother public service transactions, to increase overall productivity.
He said that public service officers should implement digital technology in order to provide better service, as well as for improved efficiency.
“All heads of departments and Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI) agencies, as well as chief information officers and ICT Committee members should fully utilise existing applications apart from discussing and implementing improvements and updates on the applications, whether it is for the internal use of the department or agency, or for the benefit of the general public.
“This is to support the development of digital technology in agriculture services, which in turn increases productivity with improved performance.
“Departments and agencies should also give full commitment towards the development of more applications, especially in terms of testing and implementation, so that the application can be developed based on current needs for the use of the public,” he said.
Yahya, who is also Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, made the comment during his opening address at the MAFI 2017 ICT Seminar themed ‘Increasing Digital Literacy in Agriculture Services.’
He stressed that digital technology plays an important role in ensuring smooth public service transactions in this era, illustrating the need for public service officers to be digitally literate, especially in terms of identifying, searching, understanding, evaluating and analysing, as well as using information through readily available digital technology.
“Digital technology has undoubtedly become an important component in every aspect of daily life.
“The advancement of information and communication technology (ICT) has rendered most people dependent on digital applications to aid service.
“A basic method to reinforce public service is to increase the use of digital applications, so that collecting and channelling information becomes faster, more effective and interactive.
“With that, preparing reports becomes easier and managing agriculture programmes more efficient,” said Yahya.
Also present at the seminar were Ko-Nelayan chairman Datuk Mijul Unaini, MAFI permanent secretary Ahmad Awang Hashim and State Computer Services Department director Dr Haji Mingu Haji Jumaan.