PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has instructed the civil service administration to accelerate reforms immediately.

Speaking at the Prime Minister's monthly assembly, Anwar said several aspects of government administration have yet to reach a satisfactory level.

As such, Anwar said he would discuss with the Chief Secretary to the Government, Datuk Seri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, and the Public Service director-general Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz, the steps needed to improve performance.

"The merging of agencies and departments has not been satisfactorily achieved.

"There are still overlapping positions, some of which are unnecessary, and this issue has not been adequately addressed.

"Reports from department heads, directors-general, and unit heads regarding the sluggishness and negligence of some officers have also not met a satisfactory standard," he said.

Present were the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories), Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Shamsul Azri; and Wan Ahmad Dahlan.

Anwar said that all these changes must be implemented immediately to ensure that progress towards improvement can be effectively achieved.

He said that the Madani concept requires all public services to consider a broader framework, including a focus on governance, driving economic growth, and public well-being.

He acknowledged that there are procedures that must be followed in executing reforms. Nevertheless, he said, new solutions must be sought to accelerate the reforms.

"For example, when it comes to the people's issues, the speed at which we respond to their claims, whether or not, we can fulfill them, and the procedures they must follow, all of these require us to find new methods.

"I always believe that the pace of change should correspond to the demands of the time and era," he said.

He added that all civil servants must strive to bring about positive change and not remain at a mediocre level.

"If we say the efficiency level is good, can it be maximised or improved? If the efficiency rate increases from 70 to 85 per cent, why not 95 per cent?

"Our understanding of Islamic teachings never advocates for people to remain at a mediocre level because a balanced, moderate nation does not mean being 'average.'

"Moderation is about an attitude that is not harsh, excessive, or judgmental, but it demands the best," he said.

As such, Anwar said civil servants should anticipate September as a month of greater movement and reform.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/09/1099996/updated-pm-reforms-unsatisfactory-wants-faster-action-civil-servants