Asnimar (sixth left) and Sa’adilah (fifth left) take a group photo with the award and certificate recipients. On fourth right is Susan Vivien.
KOTA KINABALU: Secretaries in the civil service should cooperate and be committed to improve the quality of their work to ensure the government’s visions and missions can be achieved.
State Secretary Tan Sri Hj Sukarti Wakiman said secretaries have a major role to play in ensuring all national policies and agenda are realized.
He said secretaries should bear a sense of responsibility and accountability towards their jobs.
Sukarti stated that in his speech during the closing ceremony of the Sabah Civil Service Secretaries Week (MSPA) seminar here yesterday.
His speech was delivered by Deputy State Secretary (Administration) Datuk Asnimar Hj Sukardi.
Sukarti said the National Transformation Programme was based on the ‘1Malaysia: People First, Performance Now’ concept, which outlined several important principles, including inclusiveness whereby all Malaysians should feel the effects of the transformation programmes.
The government has also set clear directions and programmes to be followed in order to achieve a world-class civil service, he said.
“Hence, we as members of the civil service, especially in the secretarial field, must support this policy and translate it into the work we do.”
Sukarti said the success of the national transformation efforts rest upon the shoulders of the civil service.
The success of the transformation process could also be a gauge of the proactiveness and effectiveness of the secretaries in carrying out their responsibilities, he said.
On the MSPA seminar, Sukarti said the event was the only annual seminar held to provide opportunities for secretaries in the public and private sectors to enhance their knowledge with the aim of improving their professionalism, motivation, skills, innovation, creativity and identity as secretaries in the civil service in Sabah.
The closing ceremony of MSPA seminar yesterday also saw the presentation of the Tokoh Setiausaha Cemerlang Award 2015 to Jill Chin Han @ Susan Vivien, who had served in the State Public Service Department (JPAN) for 38 years, from 1968 to 2006.
Meanwhile, Norline S. Benggon from the Industrial Development Ministry and Dayangku Norasimah Pg Ahmad from the Infrastructure Development Ministry were both awarded Setiausaha Cemerlang 2015.
On the other hand, Marylyn Ellen Lajangang from the Public Works Department was presented with an appreciation certificate for Excellent Secretarial Service, while Christina Chia Kim Siong and Amalia John Yagot, both former presidents of the Sabah Association of Secretaries (SAS) received appreciation certificates for their service as well.
Chia has presided SAS from 2003 to 2005 whereas Amalia has led the association from 2007 to 2009, and from 2009 to 2011.
MSPA 2015 also included activities such as rounders sports, charity visit to Kampung Mesilau Ranau and treasure hunt in September and October.
Also present were State Public Sector Training Institute (INSAN) director Saadilah Abdillah and State JPAN director Datuk Nordin Siman.