Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Bakar – Bernama file photo
PUTRAJAYA: Chief Secretary to the Government (KSN) Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Bakar today said the era when civil servants must follow orders blindly has passed.
In a statement, he said, in facing the challenges of the borderless world, every civil servant should be a leader who could think creatively and critically and not merely be a follower.
“All these new approaches are unlikely to be implemented if we are still swayed by old dreams. In this limited time, civil servants must act quickly in discharging their duties based on clean, efficient and trustworthy principles,” he said.
He said the power separation between the executive, legislative and judiciary that should take priority in ensuring the integrity of the civil service was undisputed.
When the people were stepping into the new Malaysia era, the public service must also be determined to move forward in providing the best service to the nation and people.
Meanwhile, he said since his appointment as Chief Secretary to the Government a week ago, among his main pledges was to implement reforms in order to prosper the public service and the people in general.
“Lately the image of the civil service is somewhat dented as a result of integrity and governance issues among civil servants.
“As the nation’s backbone institution, we must be brave to further improve efficiency, accountability, integrity, governance, transparency and ethics in carrying out duties,” he said.
Ismail said the civil service, which serves as the implementing institution, should be in the forefront in assisting the people.
“The gap between the civil service and the people needed to be closed so that a sense of ownership could be imbued at all levels of society,” he said.
He said in providing the best service to the nation, civil servants must constantly be ready to execute changes in the face of all the obstacles encountered.
“Emphasis must also be given in terms of cost management that is more efficient and effective to ensure public funds are not wasted,” he said. – Bernama