Why are the Malays poor? Blame it on Umno!

Thursday, 01 April 2010 22:23

Who squandered the national wealth on prestige projects while neglecting the poor? Who bailed out crony businessmen by writing off billions of ringgit, asks P Ramakrishnan.



Of late, the pressure is building up to convey the impression that the Malays are poor because of the non-Malays. It is trumpeted that the non-Malays are enriching themselves at the expense of the Malays.

This erroneous and mischievous line of argument is deliberately pushed to achieve two objectives: One, to get the Malays riled up and to create hatred for the non-Malays as the source and cause of Malay poverty. Two, this is a ploy to consolidate the position of these hate-mongers so that they can be accepted as the defenders of the race and champions who would deliver the Malays from their wretched situation.

But these extremist elements do not reveal how they have benefited from the policies of Umno that were meant for the welfare of the majority poor Malays. They do not reveal how the benefits have gone to the crony corporate figures and the well connected political elite irrespective of their ethnicity.

They do not disclose how billions of ringgit had been squandered to rescue the failed ventures of their elite group. They do not disclose how billions were pumped into Bank Rakyat and Bank Bumi to sustain them. They do not disclose why Mirzan Mahathir’s floundering and debt-laden shipping empire had to be bailed out with our national wealth. They do not disclose why Tajudin Ramli’s stake in MAS was bought over for RM8 per MAS share when the market price was only RM3.62.

Likewise many other individual Malays have benefited enormously. They don’t lose out when their businesses fail but they gain in spite of their failure. Contracts, licences, AP permits, new shares and whatnot are grabbed by these individuals for themselves and their families. The poor majority Malays do not benefit from these policies.

It was recently disclosed that out of RM54 billion in shares allocated for Bumiputeras, only RM2 billion were still in their hands. What has happened to the RM52 billion that cannot be accounted for? RM54 billion is a colossal sum of wealth that has been dished out. How did RM52 billion disappear into thin air?

After 40 years of NEP, it is absolutely unacceptable that the deserving poor have not benefited in the way it was intended. Sometimes we wonder if the Malays are kept poor simply and deliberately to get their votes by blaming the non-Malays for their abject situation.

Over the last 40 years, successive Umno presidents and deputy presidents served as prime ministers and deputy prime ministers wielding great powers, influencing policies and determining the fate of the Malays. Every Education Minister since Merdeka has come from Umno. Every Finance Minister after Tun Tan Siew Sin has been an Umno man. Every Rural Development Minister has been an Umno man. The Cabinet was dominated by Umno leaders. How is it that with this heavy representation of Umno leaders in the Cabinet the vast majority of Malays have remained deprived and desperately poor? How did Umno, ever ready to advance Malay interest, permit this neglect?

The Umno-dominated Barisan Nasional holds the purse strings of the national wealth. Why wasn’t this wealth distributed to the poor as well? Why did the greedy grab everything? Was this done without the knowledge of Umno leaders?

Don’t blame the non-Malays who have no say in the policies of the government; blame it on Umno. Who squandered the national wealth on prestige projects while neglecting the poor? Who bailed out crony businessmen by writing off billions of ringgit? It is Umno and nobody else! If the Malays are poor, it is because of Umno. Don’t blame it on others.

There is a serious lesson to be learnt from John F Kennedy’s view: If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.

Be warned!

P Ramakrishnan is president of Aliran

Civil Servants Urged To Change Mindset To Ensure Success Of GTP

March 26, 2010 17:06 PM

KUCHING, March 26 (Bernama) -- Civil servants in the country must be ready to change their mindset to ensure the success of the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) introduced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak says deputy director-general of Public Service Malaysia, Datuk Dr Ismail Alias.

The role of the civil servants is significant in carrying out the aspirations and agenda of the government to be more effective in its delivery of services and accountable for outcomes that matter most to the people.

"Transformation is important to improve the quality of service and delivery system so as to realise the wishes of the Prime Minister.

"Transformation must start from the mindset and the innovation, performance, accountability, integrity, loyalty, knowledge, perseverance and vision must be absorbed and put in practice.

"Civil servants must possess a creative and innovative thinking as the right mindset when blended together can result in a successful year for the country," he told reporters after a talk on "Transformation of mindset to face global challenges" at the Sultan Iskandar building here today.

He added that a transformation of the mindset can help civil servants control their emotions and be more organised when carrying out their duties to help the country achieve an advanced, united and just society with high standards of living and become a fully developed nation.

-- BERNAMA

Internet has broken down many walls

Internet has broken down many walls, says Najib

PUTRAJAYA: Singing praises of the Internet, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said it had broken down many walls dividing the people.

“The beauty of the Internet is that it breaks down the ethnic, religious and age walls.

“We are here because we are connected via the Internet,” he said at the 1Malaysia hi-tea he hosted for his Internet friends at his official residence Seri Perdana here yesterday.

Also present were his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and their two children, Nooryana Najwa and Nor Ashman Razak.

The Prime Minister said about five million Malaysians were active on the social website Facebook, which he described as a good indication that the people used information and communications technology.

About 300 of Najib’s Internet friends of various races attended the event.

“I want all of you to feel that you have the Government that is very responsive to the needs and aspirations of the Malaysian people ... and we will use the latest technology to get connected and communicate with ‘rakyat Malaysia’,” he added.

Najib said the meeting enabled him to meet Internet friends who had taken the initiative to include him on Facebook, with the current total of 120,000 friends growing by the day.

During the dialogue at the hi-tea, Najib said a special website to display the names of successful winners of tenders would be launched soon as part of the efforts to reduce corruption.

Najib said the Government was also making efforts to have a minimum wage in the private sector to help people in the lower income group achieve the highest possible growth rate.

Eight Pillars To Transform The Country

March 13, 2010 17:16 PM

By Normalazwa Jamaludin and Elmi Rizal Elias

PUTRAJAYA, March 13 (Bernama) -- The civil service, which has 1.2 million members, plays a huge role in making sure the government achieve its aspirations.

This is even more so at a time when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has already started the country's massive transformation process based on eight pillars comprising four key thrusts and four complementary values in his administration which will soon celebrate its first anniversary.

The four key thrusts are the 1Malaysia, People First, Performance Now concept, Government Transformation Programme (GTP), New Economic Model (NEM) and the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP).

The four complementary values are: making creativity and innovation a culture, giving importance to speedy action-taking and decision-making process, striving to provide value for money, and giving emphasis to the virtue of integrity.

These eight pillars, mooted by the prime minister, act as a guideline for the civil service in discharging its everyday duties and in achieving the ultimate objective of making Malaysia a high-income nation.

Even more significant is the fact that this idea was spelled out by the prime minister before a gathering of 4,000 civil servants at the 11th Civil Service Convention at Putrajaya International Convention Centre here on Tuesday.

He chose the event as a platform to explain and emphasis the role which the public sector should play in realising the government's aspirations and visions.

1Malaysia is the core philosophy underlying all the policies of the government with the ultimate objective of fostering national unity.

"This has been the ambitions and aspirations of all Malaysians for so long. Whether we like it or not, in a plural country like Malaysia, any form of national ambitions such as striving to achieve a better life for each citizen will remain a pipe dream without national unity.

"It goes without saying that without national unity, there will be no political stability, which is the core of everything," the prime minister said.

The transformation agenda aims to make the government more responsive to the aspirations and heartbeat of the people, which the prime minister aptly demonstrated when he said that the era of government knows best is over and that it should now act as a facilitator.

The third and fourth thrusts, namely the NEM and 10MP, are two economic initiatives to chart the country's direction in the long, medium and short terms.

The four key thrusts and four complementary values are supporting one another.

To acculturate creativity and innovation, civil servants should possess critical and constructive thinking when carrying out their responsibility by seeking creative, innovative and out of the ordinary solutions when confronted with problems.

Having the speed in taking actions and making decisions is also crucial as this can increase the "velocity of money" in the country's economic system.

The value for money approach will prevent wastage and make sure that the government and the people get maximum returns for every ringgit and sen spent.

The prime minister also emphasises on integrity because through such value, Malaysia can become a developed nations not only in terms of economy and technology but also in terms of social, culture, intellectual and spiritual.

Civil servants hail the prime minister's message, with Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan saying all members of the public service should work together to realise the government's aspirations.

He said it was incumbent upon them to enhance their performance and give first priority to the people.

He also said that the prime minister had given his full confidence to the civil service as partners in fulfilling the government's promise and in giving a full commitment to strengthen the government's delivery system.

Malaysian Institute of Integrity president Datuk Dr Mohd Tap Salleh said the eight pillars were achievable through the cooperation and teamwork among members of the civil service and the administration.

He said there was no difference in the objective of the civil servants and members of the administration as the ultimate aim was to help the people.

"We have set in motion steps to realise the country's aspirations. As the prime minister puts it, now is no longer the time for the first gear but third and fourth gear because the challenge in the future will be huge.

"Based on the country's competitiveness level, we are not at the height where we should be," he said.

He said the emphasis by Najib was not only relevant to the public sector but also to the private sector.

"He emphasises that the corporate sector should also roll up their sleeves and move along. There is no difference between the public sector and the private sector as both should move in tandem.

"The year 2020 is only 10 years away and if this is not done, the objectives set out in Vision 2020 will not be achieved," he said.

Cuepacs president Omar Osman described the eight pillars as a comprehensive message which provided a clear guideline for the civil service in charting the country's future.

The move was in line with the government transformation agenda apart from enhancing the image of the civil service in the eyes of the people and spurring the country towards a developed nation status, he said.

Omar said the change in the public service should involve all levels, from top ranking officers to their subordinates.

The transformation, as Mohd Sidek puts it, will bring change to the country's socio-economic landscape in a short period.

The question is, can the civil service keep pace with the prime minister's speed?

There is no doubt in the minds of many who were listening to Najib's more than one-hour address on Tuesday that the government machinery should move equally as fast or else the prime minister's transformation agenda would be stalled.

-- BERNAMA

Perak Regent: Don’t let power lead you astray

By CLARA CHOOI The STAR.

IPOH: The Regent of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah has urged leaders to learn from the failures of empires and nations, and even monarchs and leaders.
He said historical evidence showed that many people were given the opportunity to become leaders but only a handful rose to be successful leaders who created history and built civilisations.
“This happened because many of those given the chance to lead allowed the joy and passion of having power to lead them astray. Some among them became complacent, some went astray, some were ill advised, some adopted wrong decisions and some made miscalculations. "

Service award: Raja Dr Nazrin Shah presenting the Outstanding Mosque Officer award to Radhi Kamarul Hailan as Mentri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin looks on during the state-level Maulidur Rasul celebration at the State Secretariat in Ipoh on Thursday.“Such are the historical accounts of leaders and leadership which the ummah (people) of today should learn from so as not to repeat the mistakes,” he said at the state-level Maulidur Rasul celebration and presentation of prizes for memorisation of the Quran at the State Secretariat here yesterday.
He said the failures were mostly due to leaders who lost their way in their eagerness to seize more power.
He said a good leader was one who realised he was no different from the subjects he led and possessed the qualities of humility, discipline, commitment, honesty and willingness to sacrifice. “The act of leading is a responsibility that should be fulfilled with trust,” Raja Dr Nazrin said.
He said Muslim leaders should use the Quran and Hadis as their sources of reference for guidance in discharging their role as leaders.
“He who leads must know that he is always under God’s watchful eye and is always being weighed and measured by his people,” he said.
Raja Dr Nazrin said a responsible leader should identify the road ahead for his followers.
“Leading is a responsibility that should be accomplished by trust,” he said.
“The leadership of giving prominence to the ummah practised by Prophet Muhammad garnered the people’s support for Him, and also for the teachings laid down by Him. As a result, Islam underwent rapid expansion in a short time, cutting across cultural, geographical and political boundaries.
“Islam was universally accepted and was no longer restricted to being the religion of the Arabs in the Arab land. The leadership of Prophet Muhammad was also accepted and recognised worldwide, even long after He had passed away,” he said.
Raja Dr Nazrin said he did not want celebrations such as Maulidur Rasul to be treated as mere “routine” and “ritualistic” functions.
“Each celebration involves time, money and much effort. Therefore, each event should bear its purpose and be productive in nature,” he said.

Perhimpunan bulan Mac 2008

Pagi ini jam 8.30am, 19 Mac, 2008 berlangsungnya perhimpunan ketiga bagi tahun ini, cuaca amat baik dan redup. Pentas hadapan diisi oleh Y.Bhg. Dato' KP, Y.Bhg. Dato' Ong Siew Heng dan Ir. KJ Abraham. Majlis didendangkan dengan kumpulan koir ibupejabat dengan dua nyanyian lagu 'Negara Ku' dan 'Perkhidmatan Awam' sahaja, tidak tahu sebab kenapa kali ini lagu 'Cemerlang JPS' tidak dinyanyikan. Tahniah kepada Ir. Hj Zul Mohamad wewakili BSGE membaca doa majlis dengan nada yang bersemangat. Sekali lagi saya meneruskan usaha merekodkan hasil luahan dan harapan Dato' KP tu kerana hanya dengan blog ini saja sesiapa saja boleh membacanya, merenung dan mengimbas kembali apabila perlu, diantaranya adalah :

• KP menarik perhatian mengenai keadaan hujan kelmarin di beberapa tempat di Subang, Shah Alam yang beliau rasai keamatan yang begitu tinggi dan mengakibatkan berlakunya banjir jika tempuhnya berlanjutan. Fenomena perubahan cuaca yang tidak menentu dan ketara boleh menyebabkan kejadian banjir berlaku tanpa musim dan ini memperlihatkan peri perlunya Jabatan sentiasa cergas melaksanakan program mengatasi banjir yang amat diperlukan.
• Beliau juga menyatakan tanggungjawab tugas tebatan banjir adalah masih relevan dan harapan pihak Kementerian dan rakyat begitu tinggi keatas permasaalahan ini dan Jabatan perlu amat proaktif dan segera dalam menjalankan tugas tersebut. Beliau menyatakan kejadian banjir 2006 dan 2007 terutamanya di Johor sudah ada peruntukkan tapi masih lembab dilaksanakan oleh Jabatan, perkara ini perlukan penekanan yang amat serius dan gerakan perlu segera di jalankan.
• Oleh itu, penekalan program banjir adalah utama dan beliau telah mengorak langkah menstrukturkan tugas tugas ini dan memberi notis awal akan perubahan beberapa keperluan penting rancangan ini termasuk menempatkan dengan menukarkan secara pentadbiran pegawai pegawai dimana perlu didalam usaha memperkemaskan dan mengerakakan keutamaaan program tebatan banjir ini. Beliau mengingatkan kepada pegawai pegawai supaya menerima tanggungjawab tersebut jika diarahkan bertukar demi perkhidmatan awam dan surat pertukaran adalah didalam proses.
  
• Y.Bhg. Dato' KP memaklumkan keputusan perlantikan Menteri Baru bagi Kementerian iaitu Y.B Datuk Douglas Unggah Embas dan Timbalan nya Y.B. Datuk Seri Abdul Gapur Salleh dimana kita disarankan akan memberikan kerjasama terbaik keatas kerajaan yang memerintah kali ini.
• Tidak lupa juga beliau mengucapkan selamat berjaya kepada Y.B. Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid yang tidak lagi bersama kita kali ini dan menyifatkan beliau sebagai Menteri yang teliti dan amat tegas didalam menjalankan tugas tugasnya yang memerlukan komitmen sepenuhnya daripada semua yang terlibat.
• Y.Bhg. Dato' KP mengumumkan penerimaan kelulusan keatas Perlantikan TKP(Operasi) oleh Ir. KJ Abraham dan Pengarah Sungai & Pantai oleh Y.Bhg. Dato' S.H. Ong bermula dari 1 April 2008 dan mengucapkan tahniah. Namun Jawatan TKP(Pembangunan) masih belum diterima lagi. Bagi jawatan jawatan lain JUSA, J54, J48 dll sudah lama dihantar dan kemungkinan jawapannya juga akan diperolehi tidak lama lagi.
  
• Y.Bhg. Dato' KP memaklumkan kepada semua pegawai pegawai yang mempunyai ijazah kejuruteraan tetapi masih tidak diserapkan ke jawatan Jurutera hendaklah melapurkan status mereka dan mendaftar segera untuk ditemuduga melalui Pengarah Khidmat Pengurusan.
• Keperluan Fail Meja bagi setiap pegawai hendaklah sentiasa ada, perkara ini sudah menjadi dasar kerajaan yang ada didalam pekeliling, beliau meminta supaya setiap pegawai sudah mempunyainya dan meminta Pengarah Kualiti dan Audit Prestasi mengerakkan pengauditan diatas perkara ini jua.

Leading effectively through ICT

Send feedback to PM via website

By ROSLINA MOHAMAD The STAR  2 Mac 2008

PEKAN: The people can now send their views, suggestions and complaints on the performance of the Government and its leadership to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi through the Warkah Untuk PM website. 

The website found at http://www.warkahuntukpm.com.my was launched on Saturday by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at the Seri Kenanga residence in Peramu here. 

Najib said that each message from the public will get a response from Abdullah. 

A separate folder will also be created for innovative and workable ideas and the first 100 that have implementation merit will be rewarded with the senders being granted a personal visit with the Prime Minister. 

Najib also presented a letter of appointment to Angkasawan Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor who is the website's ambassador. 

Speaking to reporters later, Najib said it was the era of information, communication and technology (ICT) and the Internet channel was a vital and effective link to obtain feedback from the public. 

``The people are free to give their ideas on anything and those with substance will be considered by the Government. 

``It is also a way for the Government to know issues of concern among the public such as security, education, economy and social,'' he added. 

Najib also said it was a two-way interactive and responsive communication that would have short and long-term effects, adding that it was something new adopted by the Government. 

He added that the launching came about during the elections but the website would still be operational even after the general election was over as it was an essential way to continuously gauge the people's views.

Langkah2 Mendelegasikan Tanggungjawab

11 Steps for Effective Delegating

Delegation, put most simply, involves the assignment of a specific task or project by one person to another, and the person’s commitment to complete the task or project. It is one of the most important skills demonstrated by successful leaders and one often neglected or overlooked by "overworked" leaders. Effective delegators spend time planning work assignments and organizing resources to achieve business goals in the most productive way possible.

When you delegate, you not only transfer responsibility to another person, but also accountability for maintaining established standards.

Effective delegation can have short- and long-term benefits for you, your staff, and your organization. When you delegate, you can reduce your workload and stress level by removing from your "to-do" list tasks that others are qualified to do. This increases the time available to you for focusing on projects that require your particular skills and authority, as well as higher-level tasks such as long-term planning and policy development.

For the most effective delegation, follow these guidelines:

1. Encourage your staff to share their special interests and time availability for new projects.

2. Build a sense of shared responsibility for the unit’s overall goals.

3. Avoid dumping only tedious or difficult jobs on your staff. Instead, delegate projects and tasks that spark staff interest and can be enjoyable.

4. Provide possible career opportunity for a staff member by delegating projects, tasks, or functions that involve high visibility with your manager or a high-level manager in another organization.

5. Delegate to people whose judgment and competence you trust. Your ability to select the right person reflects your skill in making decisions and setting goals.

6. Recognize that delegation is a learning experience for you and your staff, and offer training or coaching as needed.

7. Develop trust in a less skilled staff member by delegating very structured assignments and providing the support needed for the person to develop increased competence.

8. Whenever possible, delegate an entire project or function, not just a small piece; this will likely increase motivation and commitment.

9. Create clear guidelines for follow-up, monitoring and feedback.

10. Maintain open lines of communication. Say “Let me know if you run into any problems you cannot handle.”

11. Clearly define goals, expected outcomes, and measures of success to minimize wasted time and resources and ensure the task, project, or function is completed successfully.

Mengurus Kuasa

" Power....... is not an end in itself, but is an instrument

that must be used toward an end "

Jeanne Kirkpatrick

Apabila banyaknya kuasa kita punya, banyak dan mudah lah tindakan dan impian kita terlaksana. Kita berkuasa menentukan siapa saja yang mengambil bahagian didalam sebarang projek, dan siapa yang tidak. Kitalah menentukan parameter dan arah yang hendak dituju. Jenis kuasa sebegini amat mengasyik dan melalaikan kita. Ia juga boleh membawa padah  keatas orang yang waras bertukar sesat and hilang tujuan murni sesuatu organisasi dan insan yang hendak dipimpin.

Memaksimumkan kuasa yang ada bukan lah membawa pengertian Kepimpinan yang baik. Jika itulah matlamatnya maka kuasa tadi membawa kegilaan. Hanya dengan memperoleh kuasa secara memimpin orang orang yang dipimpin dan menunjukkan kita berkerja keras ke satu aras yang mempunyai matlamat yang lebih tinggi. Kita akan terus membangun dengan dorongan daripada orang orang yang nampak faedah yang diperolehi daripada kepimpinan kita itu, yang mana kita yang berkuasa. Buktikan yang kuasa yang kita bawa itu membawa nilai sepatutnya dan melayakkan diri kita sebagai pengurusnya.

Perhimpunan bulan Februari 2008

Pagi ini jam 8.30am, 18 Februari, 2008 berlangsungnya perhimpunan kedua bagi tahun ini, juga kedua buat Dato' KP yang baru. Dicatitkan ringkasan daripada perhimpunan tersebut buat ingatan dan rekod saya, dan anda jika tidak kesempatan hadir. Dua lagu dinyanyikan tanpa koir kerana ramai tiada kerana berkursus induksi. Lagu pertama 'Perkhidmatan Awam' dinyanyikan dengan penuh semangat manakala lagu kedua 'Cemerlang JPS' hanya muzik didendangkan dan tiada suara dikeluarkan oleh setiap ahli perhimpunan...ini kena fikir fikirlah sebabnya. Diantara 'point' dibawah ini yang disenaraikan mengikut ingatan saya..tiada catatan dibuat kerana saya hanya menguji ingatan sendiri, dirumuskan seperti berikut;

• KP mula dengan ucap selamat tahun baru "Kong Xi Fa Cai" kepada semua warga tionghua, dan memaklumkan dan berterima kasih kepada Y. Bhg. Dato' Ong kerana sudi menyediakan satu jamuan tahun baru utk semua yang hadir pagi ini.
  
• KP juga menyampaikan ucapan takziah diatas pemergian seorang isteri kepada pegawai NAHRIM Tuan Hj Ahmad Jamaludin dan bersama semua ahli perhimpunan bertafakkur dan membacakan 'AlFatehah'
  
• Beliau menyatakan dua pegawai utama atasan sedang mengikuti kursus JUSA selama empat minggu dan beliau juga akan ke Florida USA seminggu dan menamakan penganti semasa pegawai pegawai berkursus dan semasa ketiadaan beliau nanti. Beliau menamakan Pengarah BTB menanggung TKP1 dan KP manakala Pengarah HTC menanggung tugas Pengarah Sungai.
  
• Beliau juga menyatakan perhimpunan bulanan ini satu wadah setiap bulan bagi mengimbas pencapaian sebulan yang lalu dan merenung perancangan bulan akan datang, ianya satu renungan bersama yang perlu disampaikan kepada semua kakitangan.
  
• Beliau memaklumkan peranan utama JPS adalah menanggani permasaalahan banjir, ianya sudah menjadi keutamaan utama pihak kerajaan dan ini sudah menjadi keperluan pihak kementerian juga, satu mesyuarat dan sessi penerangan mengenai justifikasi pengisian, tambahan jawatan serta 'Capacity' Jabatan akan dibawa kepada panel dipengerusikan oleh KSU selepas perhimpunan ini.
  
• Setiap bahagian mestilah ada satu unit teknikal rekabentuk, sedikit sebanyak membantu setiap pegawai memahirkan kepakaran asas ini sebelum mereka dibenarkan bertukar ke bahagian lain.
  
• Hubungan komunikasi melalui "PA System" akan dilaksanakan bagi tujuan komunikasi dalaman diantara bahagian bahagian akan dilaksanakan.
  

Majlis Perdana Perkhidmatan Awam ke 8

Kerajaan Malaysia keenam paling cekap di dunia

PUTRAJAYA 28 Jan. – Kecekapan kerajaan Malaysia semakin meningkat dan kini diletakkan sebagai yang keenam terbaik di dunia, kata Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Perdana Menteri yang memetik laporan World Competitiveness Year Book yang dikeluarkan oleh IMD, sebuah institusi pengajian perniagaan terkemuka berpejabat di Switzerland, berkata, dari segi kecekapan Malaysia yang tergolong dalam kategori negara mempunyai lebih 20 juta penduduk mengatasi United Kingdom, Jerman, Thailand, Sepanyol, Jepun, Rusia dan Perancis.‘‘Di atas kita ialah China, Kanada, Amerika Syarikat, India dan Taiwan.

‘‘Bukan kita hendak bohong rakyat kerana kalau bohong, tidak lamalah kerajaan yang sedia ada ini lingkup. Jadi, tak usah fikir pasal gagal... kita tiada pilihan melainkan berjaya, berjaya, berjaya,” katanya.

Abdullah berkata demikian ketika menyampaikan amanat kepada 3,000 kakitangan awam pada Majlis Perdana Perkhidmatan Awam Kelapan (Mappa VIII) 2008 di sini hari ini.

Majlis itu juga disertai 226 pemimpin korporat daripada sektor swasta dan syarikat milik kerajaan (GLC). Turut hadir ialah Ketua Setiausaha Negara, Tan Sri Mohd. Sidek Hassan.

Dalam ucapan selama 80 minit, Perdana Menteri menyentuh pelbagai isu daripada persaingan ekonomi serantau, isu kecemerlangan dan kualiti, agenda membasmi kemiskinan dan kelancaran pembangunan koridor ekonomi.

Beliau turut memperkatakan pencapaian kerajaan pada tahun 2007 yang beliau sifatkan telah menunjukkan permulaan satu iltizam dan fokus baru bagi perkhidmatan awam.

Menurut Perdana Menteri, setelah beliau bercakap mengenai kedudukan Malaysia dalam laporan Doing Business Bank Dunia pada Mappa tahun lalu, Pasukan Petugas Khas Pemudahcara Perniagaan (Pemudah) telah ditubuhkan.

‘‘Kini sektor awam bersama rakan-rakan sektor swasta dalam Pemudah bertekad dan berusaha untuk menambah baik persekitaran perniagaan negara, lalu melonjakkan kedudukan Malaysia ke tangga ke-10 teratas dalam laporan tersebut pada tahun lalu,” ujarnya.

Beliau berkata, pelbagai kejayaan turut dicapai perkhidmatan awam pada tahun lalu, antaranya penambahbaikan pusat sehenti dan keupayaan kerajaan melaksanakan pelarasan gaji untuk menjadikan sektor awam lebih menarik dan kompetitif.

‘‘Pada tahun lalu, kebanyakan bil bayaran kerajaan kepada pembekal barangan dan perkhidmatan berjaya dibayar dalam tempoh 14 hari. Daripada jumlah ini, 70 peratus daripada bayaran tersebut dilunaskan dalam tempoh tujuh hari.

‘‘Pencapaian ini jelas menunjukkan tahap kemampuan sektor awam,” katanya.

Justeru, Abdullah berkeyakinan penuh pada tahun ini seluruh kakitangan awam bersedia membawa usaha penambahbaikan tersebut ke tahap yang lebih baik.

‘‘Jika tahun 2007 merupakan titik permulaan, 2008 harus menjadi fasa pemerkasaan.

‘‘Mengulangi standard yang sudah dicapai bukan kecemerlangan. Peningkatan dalam standard dan pencapaian, hingga setaraf dengan mereka yang terbaik atau terbilang dalam kelasnya, itulah kecemerlangan,” katanya.

Dalam hubungan ini, Perdana Menteri mengingatkan bahawa negara-negara lain di Asia seperti China, India dan Vietnam tidak ‘berpeluk tubuh’ atau berdiam diri dalam mengejar pembangunan dan penambahbaikan.

Menurut beliau, negara-negara yang sudah membangun pula semakin mantap mempertahankan tahap daya saing masing-masing.

‘‘Oleh itu kita tidak boleh mudah berpuas hati. Sepanjang masa kita harus menokok tambah usaha-usaha yang lepas.

‘‘Kita harus meneruskan usaha sehingga mencapai standard kelas pertama dalam perkhidmatan awam,” katanya.

Abdullah mengingatkan kakitangan awam bahawa sistem penyampaian yang pantas dan cekap akan turut memberi manfaat sampingan termasuk berupaya menangani gejala rasuah.

‘‘Kalau kita lambat dalam membuat keputusan, misalnya, ia boleh mendorong kepada rasuah. Kerana konon nak cepat, mereka bayarlah. Walaupun gejala ini tidak banyak (terjadi) tetapi kita tidak mahu ia berlaku,” katanya.

Abdullah juga memuji sikap kakitangan awam sekarang yang semakin berani tampil membuat laporan kepada Badan Pencegah Rasuah (BPR) apabila mereka ditawarkan rasuah.

‘‘Ini satu sikap yang baik dan mesti diamalkan oleh semua kakitangan awam,” katanya.

Perdana Menteri turut meminta rakyat agar tidak membandingkan Malaysia dengan Singapura yang berbeza dalam semua segi termasuk dalam soal ekonomi.

‘‘Mereka anggur, kita epal... macam mana hendak bandingkan? Tidak boleh,” ujar beliau.

Sehubungan itu, Abdullah meminta kakitangan kerajaan agar jangan mempersia-siakan momentum perubahan penambahbaikan perkhidmatan awam khususnya dalam separuh penggal Rancangan Malaysia Kesembilan (RMK-9).

‘‘Malah perhebatkanlah lagi usaha-usaha saudara-saudari supaya impaknya dapat dilihat dan dirasai.

‘‘Bagi tahun 2008, bertindaklah dengan tekun. Kertas-kertas mesyuarat harus mengutamakan tindakan, bukan ‘untuk perhatian’ sahaja.

‘‘Dan setelah berbincang atau bermesyuarat atau berbalas surat, bertindaklah dengan tekun. Biarlah keputusan dan tindakan mendahului kerja- kerja kita,” kata beliau.

Lead us

" Tell me, I'll forget. Show me, I may remember.

But involve me and I'll understand "

Chinese Proverb

Sebagai pemimpin, satu dari kunci utama tanggungjawab adalah untuk menunjuk ajar. Satu daripada cabaran besar mengajar ialah mengingati kembali bagaimana rasanya bila kita menjadi pelajar. Dan satu cara yang paling efektif untuk mendapat kemahiran pembelajaran adalah dengan belajar melakukannya sendiri.

Fikirlah kembali keatas perkembangan bagaimana diri kita membangun selama ini. Walaupun didalam bidang dimana kita mempunyai bakat khusus tersendiri, atau kepakaran unik yang diperolehi, ianya mengambil masa belajar diatas apa pun yang kita perlu tahu, kita sudah banyak melakukan kesilapan dan ia memberikan pengajaran berharga. Orang yang kita pimpin memerlukan peluang yang sama. Janganlah kita sangka mereka juga boleh belajar dengan begitu pantas juga seperti kita perolehi. Jangan disangka jua mereka tidak mempunyai kesilapan. Beri peluang mereka bersama sama didalam proses, dan kita berikan semangat supaya mereka dapat belajar dengan cepat dan mendapatkan kemahiran yang efektif akhirnya.

Pemimpin hendakah efektif

" Power can be taken, but not given. The process of taking is empowerment in itself"

Gloria Steinem

Sebenarnya tidak ada sesiapa pun akan memberikan kita kuasa. Organisasi kita mungkin menaikkan kita ke aras kedudukan tinggi, menganugerahkan gelaran, dan menawarkan peluang bagi membangunan kekuasaan. Semuanya ini adalah sia sia belaka, kecuali, sekiranya kita dapat gunakannya dengan apa yang dikurniakan.

Memang ramai orang didunia ini yang bergelar dan mempunyai banyak gelaran yang hebat hebat tetapi tidak punya pengaruh, dan juga mesti ingat pula ramai juga orang yang tiada darjah dan gelaran, tanpa ada kepimpinan yang formal pula begitu berpengaruh.

Dengan mempunyai pendirian dan keberanian secukupnya untuk berkata kata diatas apa saja prinsip serta kepercayaan kita, kuasa sebenarnya adalah milik kita. Ambil dan gunakannya tanpa gentar. Berasa selamat lah dan sangguplah mengambil risikonya. Redha lah untuk meletakkan diri kita dilandasan apa yang kita yakini. Dengan kekuatan, visi, dan keberanian, kita tetap mendapat pengaruh yang diperlukan bagi menjadi pemimpin yang efektif.

Perhimpunan Bulan Januari 2008 - Pertama buat KP baru.

Buat pagi ini yang bersejarah, perhimpunan pertama tahun ini menyaksikan Ketua Pengarah baru sudah memulakan tugas memberikan ucapan sulung beliau. Ia sepatutnya diadakan kelmarin tetapi ditunda pagi ini kerana Cuti Thaipusam, pertama kali juga dalam sejarah Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur dan Putrajaya.

Saya ingin mencatitkan disini tentang apa yang diperkatakan oleh Y.Bhg. Dato' KP didalam ucapan beliau supaya direkodkan disini untuk ingatan serta rujukan kemudian kelak. Diantaranya ;

• Beliau mengingatkan tahun 2010 dimana ianya menjadi kunci utama prestasi pengukuran visi Jabatan menjadi "Worldclass" didalam era beliau. Cabaran amat besar dan memerlukan keyakinan didalam kebolehan semua peringkat kakitangan bagi mencapai taraf sedemikian. Ramai yang bertanya samada Jabatan yakin keatas kemampuan ini. Banyak pihak luar nampak mereka mampu buat dan mengeluarkan hasil yang lebih baik daripada Jabatan ini. Jika demikian adakah JPS relevan dan signifikan pada masa itu.
• Beliau juga menyatakan bahawa sekarang ini adalah era JPS bukan lagi seperti dulu JKR, isu isu alam sekitar seperti penyelesaikan masaalah banjir adalah menjadi kehendak utama pelanggan kita, oleh itu harapan besar sudah dipertanggung jawabkan kepada jabatan untuk mengerakkan program penyelesaiaannya dan menjadikan ianya cabaran hebat jabatan masakini.
  
• Isu memperkemas dan mengutamakan kebajikan sumber manusia jabatan adalah agenda utama, maka Jabatanarah sedang dalam proses mengisikan jawatan jawatan kosong serta membuat perubahan ini. Jika perlu bagi mengerakkan usaha jabatan berkemungkinan juga perlu diambil pegawai pegawai secara kontrak bagi memenuhi dan mengatasi sebarang cabaran.
  
• Empat kriteria penting disebut bagi kenaikan pangkat bagi sesiapa yang layak untuk mengisi jawatan jawatan kosong mengikut keutamaan berikut pertama lulus PTK, kedua Lapuran prestasi dari pihak atasan, ketiga 'peer review' dan keempat kekananan.
  
• Perkara perkara lain yang disebut adalah penubuhan jawatankuasa "exco" Jabatan arah bagi membuat keputusan bersama diperingkat ibupejabat yang terdiri daripada semua JUSA dan 2 Gred54, mengadakan semua ahli Jabatanarah diletakkan diaras 2, menamakan setiap blok bangunan yang menempatkan bahagian bahagian di JPS dan memperkemaskan sistem penyampaian maklumat diIbupejabat.

Membina daya kepimpinan

" I do not believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they cannot find them, make them "

George Bernard Shaw

'Wajib Circumstances 13 January 2008.. JasaMu dikenang Night at the Legend KL '

Setiap pemimpin mesti melawan semarak api dan menyelesaikan konflik dan krisis. Ini mengambil banyak masa yang berharga. Didalam harapan bantuan melalui telefon, faksimili, e-mail, and pelbagai kemudahan peralatan canggih yang dianggap membantu menjimatkan waktu namun kadangkala benda benda sebeginilah yang memakan banyak masa berharga. Kalau kita tidak memberikan perhatian, hidup ini sentiasa saja dibelenggu dengan gangguan. Kita memerlukan masa secukupnya bagi memikirkan bentuk masa depan dan corak laluan yang ingin dilalui. Kita lah yang mempunyai daya untuk menentukan pilihan apa saja keadaan yang patut kita terima, yang mana boleh kita selesaikan, dan yang mana saja kita hendak bentuk. Secara keseluruhan ia bermakna kita jua mesti membuat keputusan hari ini untuk masa depan, dan mengambil tindakan bagi merealisasikan kejayaan yang kita ingini.

Kepimpinan baru - Amanat KP

Syukur kita semua warga JPS kerana arus kepimpinan tetap berterusan tanpa putus. Kepimpinan adalah nyawa sesuatu organisasi untuk terus hidup. Kita mestilah berasa amat bangga dan bertuah kerana mendapat seorang pemimpin yang semua kenal, mesra dan prihatin dan amat sangat disenangi dan terlalu ramai menaruh harapan tinggi dan memuji beliau. Kesinambungan kepimpinan ini diteruskan oleh Y. Bhg. Dato' Ir. Hj Ahmad Husaini Hj Sulaiman mulai 16 Disember 2007 hujung tahun lalu. Diblog ini sukacita disejarahkan dengan ucapan tahniah dan harapan kejayaan tinggi jua kepada beliau. Tidak banyak dapat dilakarkan dan ditulis lebih namun pada 14 Januari 2007 lalu beliau sudah memberikan amanat kepada semua mengenai apa yang beliau inginkan..(kalau boleh setiap warga cubalah dapatkan satu salinan Amanat beliau itu untuk di selami dan diperhalusi sedalam dalamnya ibarat rukun negara juga). Seperti juga mana mana pemimpin yang inginkan yang terbaik hasil daripada kepimpinannya, tiada seorang pun pemimpin yang mahu melihat kegagalan dan kehancuran hasil daripada kepimpinannya..diantara lain maksud kata katanya didalam amanat beliau adalah bahawa...'..semua juga adalah rakannya baik didalam atau luar pejabat, dipadang golf, dibowling alley atau dimana saja, namun pena ditangannya membawa tanggungjawab yang tidak mengenal rakan atau taulan yang mana beliau merasakan tanggungjawab beliau sebagai ketua adalah amat berat bagi menentukan Jabatan ini relevan dan memenuhi kehendak pelanggan' 'take it or leave it'...maka mesej beliau amatlah jelas disitu..... Ingatan bagi kita semua pasal kita juga pemimpin..

"Once you have been number one,

you can never be satisfied with less"

Chis Evert

'Being on top is an exhilarating - and scary - place for a leader. There is always someone ready to push you from perch and take your place.

Ironically, you are often most vulnerable when you are most successful. Being on top blinds some leaders. They feel indestructible. As long as you stay alert and keep doing the things that got you to the top in the first place, your chances of staying there are excellent. Don't doze. Losing your superior position would be painful for you. Worse, it would be demoralizing for your team and organization.'

Jasamu diKenang Jua

Pada 13 Januari 2008 warga JPS meraikan satu majlis makan malam "Jasamu diKenang" di Hotel Legend Kuala Lumpur untuk mantan Ketua Pengarah yang bersara pada 15 Disember 2007 tahun lalu. Semua warga menghargai kedatangan beliau dengan ucapan dan stail dia yang tersendiri. Hanya lah dirakamkan diblog ini hari bersejarah tersebut untuk ingatan keatas seorang ketua Jabatan yang amat berjasa membawa kepimpinan yang 'Excellent, Humble dan Dedicated'...motto korporat "Kualiti, Integriti dan Prihatin" adalah sinonim dengan diri beliau. Cuma satu yang tertarik untuk direkod disini sepanjang ucapan beliau yang penuh erti iaitu...diantaranya bermaksud bahawa dengan persaraan satu jawatan tertinggi akan memboleh kan peluang kepada tujuh orang bawahan untuk merasai kenaikan pangkat. Selamat bersara dan maju jaya jua kepada beliau.

Kenangan bersama Y.Bhg Datuk Paduka Ir. Keizrul Abdullah semasa menghadiri the 14th Regional Steering Commitee Meeting IHP for SouthEast Asia and the Pacific pada 14 - 20 October 2006 

di Grand Ayudthaya Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand.

Lagi pemimpin pergi

" Experience is not what happens to you,

It's what you do with what happens to you "

Aldous Huxley

" Mistakes are a fact of life,

It is the response to error that counts "

Nikki Giovanni

Kehidupan ada kala terang dan adakalanya gelap. Macamana payahnya kita berbakti untuk kebaikan, keburukkan menjelma juga. Hidup ini bagai roda yang berpusing dengan keindahan dan kegembiraan tetapi jangan lupa kekeciwaan yang menunggu. Kita tiada upaya menghalang perkara yang tidak diingini berlaku dan hanya mengharapkan yang baik sahaja. Tindakan yang bijak bagi mengawal keadaan yang akan menyakitkan kita adalah reaksi kita membuat keputusan bagi meredakan keadaan. Kita punya pilihan bagi menghadapi keadaan sukar. Kita boleh melalak kesakitan, atau memilih menyelesaikannya dan belajar daripadanya. Hidup ini menghidangkan kebaikan dan keburukkan. Bersuka dimasa gembira. Ambil pengajaran sepenuhnya dari pengalaman pahit daripadanya.

Terkenang madah dari Benazir

"A ship in port is safe, but that is not

what ships are built for"

Benazir Bhutto

No matter how clear your vision, it's impossible to know with any certainty what lies beyond your horizon. It's impossible to discover new lands until you have the courage to lose sight of your shore.

So the question is, although you can't predict the future, are you still willing to head in new directions? Are you confident that if you prepare, you can survive whatever unexpected twists the future brings?

You can play it safe, but that's not what leaders are made for.

Pengorbanan Tak Ternilai

"Al-fatihah buat Benazir"

Pemimpin datang......Pemimpin Pergi

Datangmu kembali untuk memimpin perubahan

...dikalangan anak bangsa mu yang ketandusan

Kami simpati walaupun tidak rugi...

namun

charisma kepimpinan dan daya juangmu sukar dicari didunia ini.

Kau ibarat mutiara dicelah celah kerdipan diantara keajaiban dunia fana ini.

Seluruh pelusuk dunia meratapi pemergian mu

Pergi mu... menyayat setiap naluri kalbu

didalam mengharungi ranjau dan badai gelombang

yang merintangi dan menghalang

perubahan yang engkau inginkan.

(ingatan ikhlas semoga roh mu bersama2 yang shahid dan solehah..nukilan perasaan ferdaos mohamed)