Erase Negative Perceptions Linked To Public Service Says Pak Lah. What An Uphill Task.

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said today that the biggest task for government servants this year is to improve the public service delivery system and wipe out the perception of weakness, inadequacy and general malaise in the public sector.

The prime minister said he was dismayed to read and hear reports that while the policies and strategies of the government were good, there were shortcomings in the implementation side.

Abdullah said he feared that if not enough effort was made on the ground to speed up the implementation of projects and programmes for the people, there might be the perception that this was related to corruption in the public service.

"When corruption is linked to the weaknesses, it may bring dire consequences to the government and all of us. We don't want to be seen as (civil service) personnel whom the people don't look kindly upon. "We want people to see us as personnel who have integrity and are respected," Abdullah said at the first assembly of the year for officers and staff of the Prime Minister's Department.

Alluding to a recent seminar on the achievements of his three-year administration, Abdullah said he was upset to hear that the participants were complaining about what they saw as shortcomings in the delivery system. This, he said, could be seen as a criticism directed at the administration, government servants and departments. "When I read about this, obviously I was unhappy. And I hope to get more views, especially on the aspects that the seminar participants are unhappy with," he said.

The prime minister said that once the signs of weaknesses in the delivery system were pinpointed, the government could take steps to rectify the situation.

Nevertheless, the matter should be seen in a positive light, he said and reminded civil servants to make a commitment to erase whatever negative perceptions associated with the public service. (Bernama)
Image - Source