Aku tak lupa akan Fitrah diri ini
Di alam fana semesta ciptaan Illahi
Dulu lagi, kini dan selamanya....
Ayah bonda sanak saudara ku
Engkau, dia dan mereka semua yang ada
Mohon restu illahi, ampun maaf jua dipinta
Dalam menyambut Aidil Fitri mulia.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Dept heads can give nod for second job
By Farah Naz Karim ; NST Online 29/09/2008
PUTRAJAYA: Civil servants who want to take on a second job to supplement their income now need only to seek approval from their heads of department. Public Service Department director-general Tan Sri Ismail Adam said civil servants must ensure that their part-time work did not interfere with their responsibilities to the service. To expedite the approval process, he said heads of departments could use their discretion to allow their employees to work part-time instead of seeking the nod from the PSD, as was the requirement previously. "The government understands the pressures they are facing in light of the challenging economy and this move would definitely ease their burden," he told the New Straits Times yesterday. Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) president Omar Osman, in welcoming the decision, said his organisation had appointed representatives within the civil service to ensure that public servants who worked outside office hours did not abuse the privilege. He said they had been told to only start their part-time job after five and make sure they stopped by midnight. "We do not want our members to work till the break of dawn and when they reach their office the next morning, they start looking for storerooms to sleep." He said the one-step approval was appreciated as it would allow civil servants to quickly get started on their second job. At least 100 civil servants have applied for permission to do part-time jobs or run a petty trade. Among jobs they have applied to do are giving lectures and tuition, driving taxis, breeding fish, working as petrol station attendants and setting up stalls at night markets. The PSD expects more applications from the 800,000 government employees. In June, the government opened the door for them to supplement their income in view of the rising cost of living. Cuepacs has estimated that 450,000 civil servants earning between RM750 and RM1,500 a month are badly affected by rising prices, especially the high cost of fuel and food. In the private sector, some employees are moonlighting to make ends meet. Malaysian Employers Federation executive director Shamsuddin Bardan had said that there were employees in the private sector who were holding part-time jobs or second jobs without the knowledge of their employers.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Raring to make changes
By M. KRISHNAMOORTHY; The STAR Online September 14, 2008
The new Immigration director-general is set on improving efficiency and stamping out corruption at all levels.
CHANGE was the word uppermost in Datuk Mahmood Adam’s mind as he walked into his seventh floor Putrajaya office on July 21.
As the mass of new faces greeted him, the shocking detention and indictment of the previous director-general of Immigration on allegations of corruption was also in his thoughts.
Mahmood: 'It is a sin to take any form of bribe'
“My main task is to wipe out corruption and maladministration both of which the department is always accused of. Changes are needed in all areas of the department.
“Most of all, I need to change the way my colleagues think,” the new Immigration director-general said in an interview last week.
Among the first things he did was to change the department’s operation style to enhance better cooperation and boost staff morale.
But administrative efficiency aside, his main focus would be on wiping out corruption.
“I have been sent here on a mission. I have to meet the high expectations of the Government,” he said.
The Immigration Department is certainly not a new place for the 55-year-old DG. He was posted to the department in October 1976 when he was a young administrative officer.
Going into his second month as the DG, Mahmood has already introduced 26 changes to bring about better efficiency and transparency. One of the obvious changes is his noticeable presence.
The DG mixes freely with the staff and is often seen checking on queues at the counters several times a day. On Monday, he was seen on the crowded second floor, mingling with people waiting for visa extensions and employers seeking approvals for their workers.
Walking straight into a group of people holding immigration documents, he asked one woman who was waiting for her workers’ visa renewals: “How long have you been waiting?”
“One hour, I don’t know how much longer I will have to wait,” she replied.
The DG managed to pacify her with his smile and an assurance that the department was working on improving the system to reduce the waiting time.
As he turned around, N. Bala_krishnan, a manager of an outsourcing company greeted him.
“Thank you, Datuk. It is now much easier and faster to get approvals for visas. We used to wait for seven days but now it takes only three days,” he said.
Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners Association president Datuk R. Ramalingam said the new system allowed members of the organisation to deal directly with the department, compared with the previous system.
“The department now encourages employers to come forward themselves, eliminating the agents and their hefty commissions. Our applications for workers are certainly processed faster,” he said.
As soon as Mahmood took over, he met the various associations and organisations involved in bringing in foreign workers. Then he sat down with his top officers and found solutions to the problems. The officers were told that there should be no more delays in processing and approving applications.
According to him, the problems arose because systems were not put in the right place.
“My focus is now on getting the systems right. I have set up a one-stop centre committee which meets at 5pm daily to iron out problems in the head office and in the state and branch offices.
Mahmood, who has notched 32 years in the civil service, has served in various capacities in the Prime Minister’s Department, the Public Services Department, the Defence Ministry, the Foreign Ministry and also in the administration of Parliament.
The father of two who also has two grandchildren, has been living with his retired assistant headmistress wife in a double-storey link house in a low-income neighbourhood for the past 25 years.
Mahmood, who is serious in his war against graft, has this to say: “It is a sin to take any form of bribe to process or speed up applications
The new Immigration director-general is set on improving efficiency and stamping out corruption at all levels.
CHANGE was the word uppermost in Datuk Mahmood Adam’s mind as he walked into his seventh floor Putrajaya office on July 21.
As the mass of new faces greeted him, the shocking detention and indictment of the previous director-general of Immigration on allegations of corruption was also in his thoughts.
Mahmood: 'It is a sin to take any form of bribe'
“My main task is to wipe out corruption and maladministration both of which the department is always accused of. Changes are needed in all areas of the department.
“Most of all, I need to change the way my colleagues think,” the new Immigration director-general said in an interview last week.
Among the first things he did was to change the department’s operation style to enhance better cooperation and boost staff morale.
But administrative efficiency aside, his main focus would be on wiping out corruption.
“I have been sent here on a mission. I have to meet the high expectations of the Government,” he said.
The Immigration Department is certainly not a new place for the 55-year-old DG. He was posted to the department in October 1976 when he was a young administrative officer.
Going into his second month as the DG, Mahmood has already introduced 26 changes to bring about better efficiency and transparency. One of the obvious changes is his noticeable presence.
The DG mixes freely with the staff and is often seen checking on queues at the counters several times a day. On Monday, he was seen on the crowded second floor, mingling with people waiting for visa extensions and employers seeking approvals for their workers.
Walking straight into a group of people holding immigration documents, he asked one woman who was waiting for her workers’ visa renewals: “How long have you been waiting?”
“One hour, I don’t know how much longer I will have to wait,” she replied.
The DG managed to pacify her with his smile and an assurance that the department was working on improving the system to reduce the waiting time.
As he turned around, N. Bala_krishnan, a manager of an outsourcing company greeted him.
“Thank you, Datuk. It is now much easier and faster to get approvals for visas. We used to wait for seven days but now it takes only three days,” he said.
Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners Association president Datuk R. Ramalingam said the new system allowed members of the organisation to deal directly with the department, compared with the previous system.
“The department now encourages employers to come forward themselves, eliminating the agents and their hefty commissions. Our applications for workers are certainly processed faster,” he said.
As soon as Mahmood took over, he met the various associations and organisations involved in bringing in foreign workers. Then he sat down with his top officers and found solutions to the problems. The officers were told that there should be no more delays in processing and approving applications.
According to him, the problems arose because systems were not put in the right place.
“My focus is now on getting the systems right. I have set up a one-stop centre committee which meets at 5pm daily to iron out problems in the head office and in the state and branch offices.
Mahmood, who has notched 32 years in the civil service, has served in various capacities in the Prime Minister’s Department, the Public Services Department, the Defence Ministry, the Foreign Ministry and also in the administration of Parliament.
The father of two who also has two grandchildren, has been living with his retired assistant headmistress wife in a double-storey link house in a low-income neighbourhood for the past 25 years.
Mahmood, who is serious in his war against graft, has this to say: “It is a sin to take any form of bribe to process or speed up applications
Monday, August 25, 2008
Progress and shortfalls
The Special Task Force to Facilitate Business (Pemudah) is 19 months old. Its co-chairmen Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan, who is Chief Secretary to the Government, and Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers president Tan Sri Yong Poh Kon talk TO R. NADESWARAN and TERENCE FERNANDEZ about the journey SO FAR.
What has the Pemudah Task Force to show for in the 19 months since its inception?
Special Task Force to Facilitate Business (Pemudah), co-chairmen Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan, who is Chief Secretary to the Government.
Mohd Sidek: To date we have managed to address about one-third of the concerns brought up by private sector members. A work plan has been drawn up to ensure that other concerns are addressed within the next two years. The Task Force is also focusing on monitoring improvements that have been put in place.
Yong: The Task Force is working on more complex issues which involve assessment and review of policies such as the FIC Guidelines, government procurement and the logistics industry.
Mohd Sidek: This is in line with the mandate from the prime minister to ensure that all regulations are clear and transparent.
Are much of Pemudah’s achievements due to political will of administrators and the politicians?
Mohd Sidek: The establishment of Pemudah is a reflection of political will at the highest level to improve the public service delivery and enhance competitiveness.
The Task Force could not have achieved this level of success if not for the commitment of the ministries and agencies. I must commend my colleagues from the public sector for accepting the challenges presented to them in the form of constructive criticism and proposals forwarded by Pemudah.
Has this political will been enhanced by the results of the general election?
Mohd Sidek: There has always been political will to improve. Even before the setting up of Pemudah, the civil service was guided by a set of guidelines to improve delivery. But, given the increasing intensity of global competition, there was the realisation that we need to hasten the improvements.
Yong: This became more of an imperative, given Malaysia’s global competitiveness rankings.
But has the election results influenced the way civil servants now deal with the public? You cannot deny that the standards of the civil service was why many voters voted the way they did.
Mohd Sidek: We have always been receptive to public grouses and suggestions. The difference now is that we are more open in our engagement with the private sector and the public. Of course, as chief secretary, I made it my mission to ensure that the civil service listens to its public. I articulated loudly: "Be more people-centric and no wrong door policy."
But you can’t deny that there are areas where you have fallen short such as local councils.
Mohd Sidek: Pemudah has been in existence for only 19 months. I am pleased with what we have achieved so far.
Departments are unilaterally reviewing processes and procedures as a matter of course. But yes, there’s still a lot to be done and we will ensure that this drive for improvements becomes systematic.
Not too long ago, the Prime Minister launched warkahuntukpm.com.my to encourage the rakyat to give feedback on improving the civil service. What is the progress?
Mohd Sidek: As the name implies, warkahuntukpm is a letter for the prime minister and he answers the mails he receives as best he can.
Does he read all the e-mails?
Mohd Sidek: Do you expect the chief secretary to read ALL his e-mails?
No, due to the nature of the e-mails which are complaints and feedback. It would be downright impossible to expect you to look through every single correspondence.
Mohd Sidek: So if that’s the case, you can’t expect the PM to be reading all e-mails. It is impossible. He is bombarded by hundreds, perhaps thousands of mails. But everything regarding policy he answers! But those which can be easily answered by others, such as myself, he delegates. Last week, PM asked me, "KSN, warkahuntukpm is being handled, right? And I said: "Yes, Dr Chua (Hong Teck), director-general of the Public Complaints Bureau (PCB) is handling it.
But you do read all your e-mails.
Mohd Sidek: Ah… I am exceptional you know! But in my case, it is very specific but you must remember the PM is head of Umno, the head of the coalition, the head of the Finance Ministry and the country! I tell you that man works too hard! He is 68 years old and that man does not seem to sleep and he is very obliging! You must be fair to the man.
Yong: Yes, everything is chop-chop-chop! One meeting after another!
Mohd Sidek: If it were up to me, I’d prefer the PM to sleep in and rest, come to work at 10am, but no, he is up and about at the crack of dawn! He tells me there’s just so much to do!
Why do you need so many levels of engaging public feedback, what with the PCB, Pemudah and warkahuntukpm?
Mohd Sidek: It is the same thing. But the PM wants to personalise the complaints structure, to show the public that he takes a personal interest in their problems and he does!
One cannot fault the PM or you for delegating duties but you must ensure that the people going through these e-mails will inform and brief you on matters of great concern; also is there a lack of talented generals whom the PM can delegate duties to?
Yong: The DPM is good. The people he is surrounded with are very good! Take Tan Sri Sidek for instance. He takes on a lot of these responsibilities.
So, who checks on the PCB? A complaint goes there and doesn’t move for two weeks! This is a real experience of ours concerning a complaint regarding Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
Mohd Sidek: If you don’t get payment for a government contract, who do you go to? The Treasury not PCB. You take the easy way out by going to PCB! What on earth do you expect Dr Chua to do? If City Hall cannot control its own contractors, what do you want PCB to do?
Then why have PCB in the first place? Bungkus the department-lah!
Mohd Sidek: Because it is like a one-stop centre (for complaints). But sometimes this one-stop centre doesn’t work, it stops! So this is what I as co-chairman of Pemudah am trying to address. It’s all about integrity. If every department does its job, PCB included, you will have fewer issues. How many times have I mentioned this in Pemudah! (Kuala Lumpur Mayor) Datuk Hakim Borhan cannot have 20,000 people attending to all construction sites.
Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers president Tan Sri Yong Poh Kon Yong: The PCB has a close working relationship with Pemudah so that there is no duplication of work. The Pemudah secretariat deals with business-related issues, while PCB deals with non-business complaints.
A short-cut to getting results is that you catch one person and "hang" him. Make him an example and others will toe the line. The trouble is no one wants to make an example of anyone.
Mohd Sidek: Therefore, what the PM wants to do is enforce! Integrity: enforce! Sometimes it is difficult as those people are our friends but what to do? (Referring to the recent charges of corruption on Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Mirza Mohammad Taiyab and Immigration director-general Datuk Wahid Md Don).
Recently one department lost a laptop valued at RM4,500. I received an e-mail suggesting we hold an inquiry to ascertain the loss of the laptop when it was already established that the laptop was lost while in the custody of the company that sold it to us. I then received a request to write off the loss. I said, "why write-off? You must get the company to compensate".
And we did and the company has replaced the computer.
So, I told these secretaries-general and deputy secretaries-general: "You must enforce the government’s right!"
Not many of us want to do this. That’s why you see bangunan tak siap, you still pay! Bangunan lousy, you still pay! What is this nonsense? So it’s enforcement, enforcement, enforcement!
This is the malaise in the system. You get the computer in April, you only find out it needs repairs in August!
Mohd Sidek: I am pushing the government hard, but I am also pushing the private sector hard! My TV was not working and I was told that it would take four weeks. I said unacceptable! It should be done in one week!
Yong: Tan Sri Sidek is chairing a few meetings on government procurement. The PM had asked him to look into this. Like how in the private sector, you have procurement departments whose only job is to procure. So we are looking into establishing some specialisation in government procurement in the public sector, because if done properly, it is big savings to the government.
As far as the complaints are concerned, there are various avenues. Tan Sri Sidek is saying it is far better to go to the source of the problem as they have the capability to respond and enforce. Each individual department must be geared up to respond and make the changes.
Generally, the private sector, we think, is happy with the changes, but we expect the same level and speed of change in other areas too.
Yong: It is best to harvest the low lying fruits as opposed to the bigger ones. In the beginning, there was a lot of scepticism. Even the private sector members of Pemudah were unsure. But as the months went on, the top civil servants felt empowered to propose many changes. A lot of changes you see is not private sector-initiated but were the brainchild of the public sector. This is the progress! Our signals will be the annual World Competitiveness Report and the World Bank Doing Business Report – which we have improved by five steps. So this is how … we benchmark against the best countries.
Among the criticisms against Pemudah is that it is too business-centric. What does world competitiveness mean to the man in the street?
Yong: We have found this to be the case that initially, a lot of business-centric issues were raised, but as you would notice, many of these issues flow down into the public sector as well. When we talk about work permits, passport renewals, if we make it easy for expatriates, we must make it easy for the locals too. One indicator for the World Bank is registering property – it applies to ordinary people who are registering their property, not just businesses or factories or foreign investors. It used to take 180 days, now after a brainstorming between the directors and offices of land and mines departments and the National Productivity Board … they analysed every procedure and chopped the bottleneck to condense it to 41 days.
Mohd Sidek: While the initiatives undertaken by Pemudah are aimed at facilitating business, they also benefit the man in the street such as tax refunds in a month; low risk business operators can start their business immediately upon application and receiving the go-ahead from the local council.
Yong: Another significant improvement that has far-reaching effects is facilitating the interface between the ordinary citizen and government – the e-payment system.
Mohd Sidek: The infrastructure to enable e-payment is in place so you can pay via credit or debit card, internet banking, etc. You can renew your drivers licence, road tax and even settle summonses on-line. You can also settle your assessment on-line at most local councils.
In October, Pos Malaysia will be the one-stop agency for government’s revenue collection. We call it Pospantas. But counter services will still be made available to those who prefer to make payments the conventional way. It must be pointed out that an efficient business environment will have the impact of lowering the cost of doing business. This will see benefits flowing to the citizens.
That’s very good but land office and local councils are still in need of change.
Mohd Sidek: Forget that you think immigration has done well. They have, but there are those who are still holding on to the old mentality. Likewise, the opposite is true for land offices.
I was appointed Pemudah co-chairman on Sept 3, 2006. I was called up by the PM the following day and he said: "land and local councils". Because that is where the rubber meets the road!
You adopted MPAJ (Ampang Jaya Municipal Council). You took a bet with us that things will be better but the situation is just as bad. You owe us a makan!
Mohd Sidek (laughs): That one, it is state authority. I cannot go in there. The last time, the state and federal governments were the same. But I can confidently say that we receive fewer complaints on MPAJ than before our intervention.
The governments can change, but you are still the KSN!
Mohd Sidek: No it is different now as they may be under a different directive. It is difficult to intervene in a situation like that.
If that’s the case, what about DBKL? It is still under federal administration. People are unhappy with it. The results of the general election reflect this, where 11 of the 12 seats went to the Opposition!
Mohd Sidek: Suffice to say, I am monitoring these departments and they have no excuse not to improve! At our last meeting on July 31, we decided to adopt DBKL.
Yong: The issue of City Hall has come up repeatedly in our meetings and the election result was an indication of the people’s feelings towards how DBKL is run. And we are putting a lot of emphasis on City Hall to improve it.
They don’t allow us to attend residents meetings; they don’t consult the people and just push things through! Objection period is so short. This is what makes people angry. If they don’t buck up, they will lose the 12th seat!
Yong: We have brought this up and the message has trickled down. Trust me, there are many who want to initiate change from within the respective departments. The civil service is the civil service! Politics should not come into the equation.
So why should the civil servants in Pakatan Rakyat (PR) states (in relation to MPAJ and DBKL) be any different now?
Yong: I think this is a transition period. It will take some time. Whatever the government of the day is the government of the day but the civil service is civil service and must perform according to expectations.
Or are you adopting the attitude that since the new PR governments would want to prove themselves, you leave the running of the civil service in the state departments to them?
Mohd Sidek: We have to follow the constitution. Some are in the state list, some are in the federal list. Local authorities are in the state list and state governments must be given all the powers to do what they are supposed to do. Those in MPAJ are the employers of the Selangor government. The ones in Ampang Jaya cannot be transferred to Subang Jaya! But council presidents, I have jurisdiction.
But yet they don’t care so much for the federal bosses. It is still the mentri besar who calls the shots.
Mohd Sidek: The federal authorities’ jurisdiction is only supervisory but the chief secretary may transfer state officials who are on the federal payroll. Even if the OSC (One Stop Centres) refuse to do it, we can’t do anything. Except if the Special Committee on Local Governments headed by the deputy prime minister instructs it, they must follow.
So the Achilles Heel of the government administration is the local council?
Mohd Sidek: This is an area we can definitely improve. This is what I have been pushing for really hard. A lot of focus is on local authorities. I visited all local authorities in the country and told them: "as far as the rakyat is concerned, the government is you!"
"Forget about elections, how you perform is the reflection of the government of the day."
This is something that I am very passionate about, we are serious about this and action is being taken to help deter people from engaging in abuse of power or graft or inaction.
Some of them are not taking money not because ACA is there, but because they themselves believe it is wrong!
You must name and shame them!
Mohd Sidek: When Wahid Don and Mirza were charged, is that not naming and shaming? If I have to choose between an officer who is very efficient but lacks a little bit of integrity and an officer who is a bit slow, not very efficient but whose integrity is intact, I will go for the latter. But if a person has integrity, that usually means he is also very efficient.
But you cannot just hang people. If he ends up innocent, then how? I know-lah you people want blood, but if we find out that fellow is innocent, we would have spilt innocent blood.
(But) the big stick is being wielded and I think I am getting more secretaries-general behaving like me, it is rubbing off!
Yes, we have heard of senior people being demoted by you.
Mohd Sidek: Yes. It is happening. One person was demoted recently for going against our policy on direct negotiations. So I am acting.
And what of those who are proven innocent? Will there be a place for them once the courts release them?
Mohd Sidek: No. They have no place in the civil service. Although they may escape the courts, the civil service has simpler standards. They have no place. Sadly, you cannot compromise on these things. Once we start compromising on these things, we are finished!
fr The Sun2Surf Updated: 01:08AM Thu, 21 Aug 2008
What has the Pemudah Task Force to show for in the 19 months since its inception?
Special Task Force to Facilitate Business (Pemudah), co-chairmen Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan, who is Chief Secretary to the Government.
Mohd Sidek: To date we have managed to address about one-third of the concerns brought up by private sector members. A work plan has been drawn up to ensure that other concerns are addressed within the next two years. The Task Force is also focusing on monitoring improvements that have been put in place.
Yong: The Task Force is working on more complex issues which involve assessment and review of policies such as the FIC Guidelines, government procurement and the logistics industry.
Mohd Sidek: This is in line with the mandate from the prime minister to ensure that all regulations are clear and transparent.
Are much of Pemudah’s achievements due to political will of administrators and the politicians?
Mohd Sidek: The establishment of Pemudah is a reflection of political will at the highest level to improve the public service delivery and enhance competitiveness.
The Task Force could not have achieved this level of success if not for the commitment of the ministries and agencies. I must commend my colleagues from the public sector for accepting the challenges presented to them in the form of constructive criticism and proposals forwarded by Pemudah.
Has this political will been enhanced by the results of the general election?
Mohd Sidek: There has always been political will to improve. Even before the setting up of Pemudah, the civil service was guided by a set of guidelines to improve delivery. But, given the increasing intensity of global competition, there was the realisation that we need to hasten the improvements.
Yong: This became more of an imperative, given Malaysia’s global competitiveness rankings.
But has the election results influenced the way civil servants now deal with the public? You cannot deny that the standards of the civil service was why many voters voted the way they did.
Mohd Sidek: We have always been receptive to public grouses and suggestions. The difference now is that we are more open in our engagement with the private sector and the public. Of course, as chief secretary, I made it my mission to ensure that the civil service listens to its public. I articulated loudly: "Be more people-centric and no wrong door policy."
But you can’t deny that there are areas where you have fallen short such as local councils.
Mohd Sidek: Pemudah has been in existence for only 19 months. I am pleased with what we have achieved so far.
Departments are unilaterally reviewing processes and procedures as a matter of course. But yes, there’s still a lot to be done and we will ensure that this drive for improvements becomes systematic.
Not too long ago, the Prime Minister launched warkahuntukpm.com.my to encourage the rakyat to give feedback on improving the civil service. What is the progress?
Mohd Sidek: As the name implies, warkahuntukpm is a letter for the prime minister and he answers the mails he receives as best he can.
Does he read all the e-mails?
Mohd Sidek: Do you expect the chief secretary to read ALL his e-mails?
No, due to the nature of the e-mails which are complaints and feedback. It would be downright impossible to expect you to look through every single correspondence.
Mohd Sidek: So if that’s the case, you can’t expect the PM to be reading all e-mails. It is impossible. He is bombarded by hundreds, perhaps thousands of mails. But everything regarding policy he answers! But those which can be easily answered by others, such as myself, he delegates. Last week, PM asked me, "KSN, warkahuntukpm is being handled, right? And I said: "Yes, Dr Chua (Hong Teck), director-general of the Public Complaints Bureau (PCB) is handling it.
But you do read all your e-mails.
Mohd Sidek: Ah… I am exceptional you know! But in my case, it is very specific but you must remember the PM is head of Umno, the head of the coalition, the head of the Finance Ministry and the country! I tell you that man works too hard! He is 68 years old and that man does not seem to sleep and he is very obliging! You must be fair to the man.
Yong: Yes, everything is chop-chop-chop! One meeting after another!
Mohd Sidek: If it were up to me, I’d prefer the PM to sleep in and rest, come to work at 10am, but no, he is up and about at the crack of dawn! He tells me there’s just so much to do!
Why do you need so many levels of engaging public feedback, what with the PCB, Pemudah and warkahuntukpm?
Mohd Sidek: It is the same thing. But the PM wants to personalise the complaints structure, to show the public that he takes a personal interest in their problems and he does!
One cannot fault the PM or you for delegating duties but you must ensure that the people going through these e-mails will inform and brief you on matters of great concern; also is there a lack of talented generals whom the PM can delegate duties to?
Yong: The DPM is good. The people he is surrounded with are very good! Take Tan Sri Sidek for instance. He takes on a lot of these responsibilities.
So, who checks on the PCB? A complaint goes there and doesn’t move for two weeks! This is a real experience of ours concerning a complaint regarding Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
Mohd Sidek: If you don’t get payment for a government contract, who do you go to? The Treasury not PCB. You take the easy way out by going to PCB! What on earth do you expect Dr Chua to do? If City Hall cannot control its own contractors, what do you want PCB to do?
Then why have PCB in the first place? Bungkus the department-lah!
Mohd Sidek: Because it is like a one-stop centre (for complaints). But sometimes this one-stop centre doesn’t work, it stops! So this is what I as co-chairman of Pemudah am trying to address. It’s all about integrity. If every department does its job, PCB included, you will have fewer issues. How many times have I mentioned this in Pemudah! (Kuala Lumpur Mayor) Datuk Hakim Borhan cannot have 20,000 people attending to all construction sites.
Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers president Tan Sri Yong Poh Kon Yong: The PCB has a close working relationship with Pemudah so that there is no duplication of work. The Pemudah secretariat deals with business-related issues, while PCB deals with non-business complaints.
A short-cut to getting results is that you catch one person and "hang" him. Make him an example and others will toe the line. The trouble is no one wants to make an example of anyone.
Mohd Sidek: Therefore, what the PM wants to do is enforce! Integrity: enforce! Sometimes it is difficult as those people are our friends but what to do? (Referring to the recent charges of corruption on Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Mirza Mohammad Taiyab and Immigration director-general Datuk Wahid Md Don).
Recently one department lost a laptop valued at RM4,500. I received an e-mail suggesting we hold an inquiry to ascertain the loss of the laptop when it was already established that the laptop was lost while in the custody of the company that sold it to us. I then received a request to write off the loss. I said, "why write-off? You must get the company to compensate".
And we did and the company has replaced the computer.
So, I told these secretaries-general and deputy secretaries-general: "You must enforce the government’s right!"
Not many of us want to do this. That’s why you see bangunan tak siap, you still pay! Bangunan lousy, you still pay! What is this nonsense? So it’s enforcement, enforcement, enforcement!
This is the malaise in the system. You get the computer in April, you only find out it needs repairs in August!
Mohd Sidek: I am pushing the government hard, but I am also pushing the private sector hard! My TV was not working and I was told that it would take four weeks. I said unacceptable! It should be done in one week!
Yong: Tan Sri Sidek is chairing a few meetings on government procurement. The PM had asked him to look into this. Like how in the private sector, you have procurement departments whose only job is to procure. So we are looking into establishing some specialisation in government procurement in the public sector, because if done properly, it is big savings to the government.
As far as the complaints are concerned, there are various avenues. Tan Sri Sidek is saying it is far better to go to the source of the problem as they have the capability to respond and enforce. Each individual department must be geared up to respond and make the changes.
Generally, the private sector, we think, is happy with the changes, but we expect the same level and speed of change in other areas too.
Yong: It is best to harvest the low lying fruits as opposed to the bigger ones. In the beginning, there was a lot of scepticism. Even the private sector members of Pemudah were unsure. But as the months went on, the top civil servants felt empowered to propose many changes. A lot of changes you see is not private sector-initiated but were the brainchild of the public sector. This is the progress! Our signals will be the annual World Competitiveness Report and the World Bank Doing Business Report – which we have improved by five steps. So this is how … we benchmark against the best countries.
Among the criticisms against Pemudah is that it is too business-centric. What does world competitiveness mean to the man in the street?
Yong: We have found this to be the case that initially, a lot of business-centric issues were raised, but as you would notice, many of these issues flow down into the public sector as well. When we talk about work permits, passport renewals, if we make it easy for expatriates, we must make it easy for the locals too. One indicator for the World Bank is registering property – it applies to ordinary people who are registering their property, not just businesses or factories or foreign investors. It used to take 180 days, now after a brainstorming between the directors and offices of land and mines departments and the National Productivity Board … they analysed every procedure and chopped the bottleneck to condense it to 41 days.
Mohd Sidek: While the initiatives undertaken by Pemudah are aimed at facilitating business, they also benefit the man in the street such as tax refunds in a month; low risk business operators can start their business immediately upon application and receiving the go-ahead from the local council.
Yong: Another significant improvement that has far-reaching effects is facilitating the interface between the ordinary citizen and government – the e-payment system.
Mohd Sidek: The infrastructure to enable e-payment is in place so you can pay via credit or debit card, internet banking, etc. You can renew your drivers licence, road tax and even settle summonses on-line. You can also settle your assessment on-line at most local councils.
In October, Pos Malaysia will be the one-stop agency for government’s revenue collection. We call it Pospantas. But counter services will still be made available to those who prefer to make payments the conventional way. It must be pointed out that an efficient business environment will have the impact of lowering the cost of doing business. This will see benefits flowing to the citizens.
That’s very good but land office and local councils are still in need of change.
Mohd Sidek: Forget that you think immigration has done well. They have, but there are those who are still holding on to the old mentality. Likewise, the opposite is true for land offices.
I was appointed Pemudah co-chairman on Sept 3, 2006. I was called up by the PM the following day and he said: "land and local councils". Because that is where the rubber meets the road!
You adopted MPAJ (Ampang Jaya Municipal Council). You took a bet with us that things will be better but the situation is just as bad. You owe us a makan!
Mohd Sidek (laughs): That one, it is state authority. I cannot go in there. The last time, the state and federal governments were the same. But I can confidently say that we receive fewer complaints on MPAJ than before our intervention.
The governments can change, but you are still the KSN!
Mohd Sidek: No it is different now as they may be under a different directive. It is difficult to intervene in a situation like that.
If that’s the case, what about DBKL? It is still under federal administration. People are unhappy with it. The results of the general election reflect this, where 11 of the 12 seats went to the Opposition!
Mohd Sidek: Suffice to say, I am monitoring these departments and they have no excuse not to improve! At our last meeting on July 31, we decided to adopt DBKL.
Yong: The issue of City Hall has come up repeatedly in our meetings and the election result was an indication of the people’s feelings towards how DBKL is run. And we are putting a lot of emphasis on City Hall to improve it.
They don’t allow us to attend residents meetings; they don’t consult the people and just push things through! Objection period is so short. This is what makes people angry. If they don’t buck up, they will lose the 12th seat!
Yong: We have brought this up and the message has trickled down. Trust me, there are many who want to initiate change from within the respective departments. The civil service is the civil service! Politics should not come into the equation.
So why should the civil servants in Pakatan Rakyat (PR) states (in relation to MPAJ and DBKL) be any different now?
Yong: I think this is a transition period. It will take some time. Whatever the government of the day is the government of the day but the civil service is civil service and must perform according to expectations.
Or are you adopting the attitude that since the new PR governments would want to prove themselves, you leave the running of the civil service in the state departments to them?
Mohd Sidek: We have to follow the constitution. Some are in the state list, some are in the federal list. Local authorities are in the state list and state governments must be given all the powers to do what they are supposed to do. Those in MPAJ are the employers of the Selangor government. The ones in Ampang Jaya cannot be transferred to Subang Jaya! But council presidents, I have jurisdiction.
But yet they don’t care so much for the federal bosses. It is still the mentri besar who calls the shots.
Mohd Sidek: The federal authorities’ jurisdiction is only supervisory but the chief secretary may transfer state officials who are on the federal payroll. Even if the OSC (One Stop Centres) refuse to do it, we can’t do anything. Except if the Special Committee on Local Governments headed by the deputy prime minister instructs it, they must follow.
So the Achilles Heel of the government administration is the local council?
Mohd Sidek: This is an area we can definitely improve. This is what I have been pushing for really hard. A lot of focus is on local authorities. I visited all local authorities in the country and told them: "as far as the rakyat is concerned, the government is you!"
"Forget about elections, how you perform is the reflection of the government of the day."
This is something that I am very passionate about, we are serious about this and action is being taken to help deter people from engaging in abuse of power or graft or inaction.
Some of them are not taking money not because ACA is there, but because they themselves believe it is wrong!
You must name and shame them!
Mohd Sidek: When Wahid Don and Mirza were charged, is that not naming and shaming? If I have to choose between an officer who is very efficient but lacks a little bit of integrity and an officer who is a bit slow, not very efficient but whose integrity is intact, I will go for the latter. But if a person has integrity, that usually means he is also very efficient.
But you cannot just hang people. If he ends up innocent, then how? I know-lah you people want blood, but if we find out that fellow is innocent, we would have spilt innocent blood.
(But) the big stick is being wielded and I think I am getting more secretaries-general behaving like me, it is rubbing off!
Yes, we have heard of senior people being demoted by you.
Mohd Sidek: Yes. It is happening. One person was demoted recently for going against our policy on direct negotiations. So I am acting.
And what of those who are proven innocent? Will there be a place for them once the courts release them?
Mohd Sidek: No. They have no place in the civil service. Although they may escape the courts, the civil service has simpler standards. They have no place. Sadly, you cannot compromise on these things. Once we start compromising on these things, we are finished!
fr The Sun2Surf Updated: 01:08AM Thu, 21 Aug 2008
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Who else but me...the Agent for Change
How many church members does it take to change a light bulb? "Change? What do you mean change? My grandmother gave the church that light bulb!"
" It often happens that I wake up at night and begin to think
about a serious problem and decide I must tell the Pope
about it. Then I wake up completely and remember
that I am the Pope. "
POPE JOHN XXIII
Never lose sight of the importance of the role you play. You are special to have gotten to this point in your life. Rejoice in the opportunity you have to do something extraordinary. At time you may be lonely, or the pressure may be intense, but take comfort in the good you are able to accomplish. You're are doing what you do because of your unique talent to lead others with passion, compassion, and intelligence.
Avoid the " we versus they " mindset. Whatever your
official leadership role, use it to get something done.
Avoid pointing fingers at the inaction of others as a
rationale for doing nothing yourself.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Fikiran Serabut kita pula di salahkan
" When you blame others, you give up your power to change "
Begini lah lazimnya bila kita bukan nya bos.. Alangkah baiknya kalau aku ni bos, apa saja aku buat semuanya betul.. Orang bawahan mesti faham semua arahan aku mereka mesti akur, mesti dituruti demi jawatan, pangkat dan rezeki. Jangan membantah dan merungut nanti terbang periok nasi. Jika aku bos tentulah aku hendakkan orang bawahan aku hormat, patuh, terima dan laksanakan apa saja tugas tanpa sebarang alasan.
Tapi aku bukan bos, tapi aku layak menjadi bos berdasarkan pengalaman kerja yang begitu lama, dah lali dengan regim pengurusan dan tahu selok belok pengurusan, namun peluang menduduki pangkat tinggi masih belum ada rezeki lagi. Dari segi ilmu dan kemahiran memang dah lama punyai "Master of Science in Civil Engineering"; "Post Graduate Diploma in System Analisis"; "Diploma of the Asian Institute of Technology dalam bidang Pengurusan Sumber Air" dah lebih daripada cukupnya ilmu untuk menjadi bos..... tapi.... aku memang menjauhi sifat dan Perasaan Hasad Dengki (Ph.D) biarlah tidak ada itu lagi baik... kalau ada pun bak kata orang nanti.."Intelligent Idiot" biarlah tak ada apa pun; sepatutnya lulus kan PTK lebih utama kerana itu lah yang diiktiraf untuk naik pangkat lain lainnya hapak dan mensia sia kan sumber waktu, tenaga dan wang ringgit.
Monday, April 21, 2008
A truly independent ACA
| The Sun from the sun2surf; THE Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) proposal to make itself more independent by establishing a commission will go a long way towards improving its image, which has taken a battering of late. The fallacy that the agency acts without fear or favour is further compounded by the recent admission of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that he has called up ACA officers to question them on a case they were investigating. However, one hopes that the proposal by the ACA for a commission to investigate corruption – modelled after Hongkong’s very successful Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) will not be another cosmetic exercise in the same image as Suhakam – the Malaysian Human Rights Commission that has proven to be a toothless tiger, whose annual report is not even tabled in Parliament. One reason for this is that after all the hard work the ACA puts in to investigate and make a case against an individual or individuals, whether the law will take its course hinges solely on the Attorney-General’s discretion. Public confidence in the system has waned due to this discretion, which the people perceive is often used against those abused, and in favour of those protected, by the system. Thus, one cannot fault the public’s lack of enthusiasm for the proposal, which to all intents and purposes is a good suggestion, as a commission against corruption would make the agency answerable to the people via Parliament. Which is why, it is imperative that those tasked with ensuring the commission’s independence and effectiveness must be sincere in wanting to rehabilitate the image of the ACA – an agency that in itself has been rocked by allegations of corruption and abuse of power by its former head. Firstly, the commission must comprise respected individuals from various strata of government, society and civil groups – be it former policemen, judges and members of organisations which champion transparency – to imbue checks-and-balances and reduce the likelihood of interference from third parties. Secondly, the decision to proceed or not with prosecution must not be vested solely on one individual. A mechanism must be in place where the Attorney-General should be made answerable for his decision – making him, too, accountable to the people. Thirdly, the commission must give detailed reasons as to why a case has been dropped. The present attitude of "we don’t need to explain or inform" does not help instil public confidence in the ACA. Fourthly, there must be adequate protection for whistle-blowers. Previously, those who lodged reports were treated as suspects. One hopes that finally, there is political will to ensure a competent, effective and transparent system to fight graft. |
Saturday, April 19, 2008
60 tahun bersara - Ah lamanya menunggu !
Semua PK (Pegawai Kerajaan) mungkin merasa lega diatas keperihatinan pihak PM menerima baik lima daripada enam tuntutan Cuepacs baru baru ini. Aku pun macam mereka jua, amat berasa lega, terutama PTK yang aku rasa harus segera digantikan dengan kaedah lebih menyenangkan dan mesra pekerja. Bagi honororium tu tidaklah begitu berat jika tidak dapat pun, kalau ada akan mengocak suasana harga barangan yang tidak menguntungkan sesiapa jua akhirnya. Selepas lega beberapa hari, terlintas dibenak hati ini memikirkan kenapa aku perlu menunggu lagi empat tahun baru boleh dapat peluang naik pangkat? Lanjutan umur dari 56 ke 60 akan membuatkan orang yang patut mengosongkan tempat kerana bersara tidak berbuat demikian kerana dia harus menunggu lagi empat tahun untuk terus berkhidmat...Dalam benak hati aku dan selalu juga aku berdoa agar dia cepatlah bersara kerana dia tidak membawa sebarang kualiti kepimpinan, tidak produktif dan tidak memberikan menafaat langsung kepada perkhidmatan...Dalam benak hati ku yang tidak tau samada betul atau tidaknya kata hati ini, berbisik lagi... Kalau lah satu jawatan utama cepat dikosongkan maka akan memberi peluang kepada tujuh lagi orang muda dinaikkan pangkatnya dengan semangat dan idea baru bagi merubah keadaan kepada yang baik sekarang ke tahap yang lebih baik, bukan pasal dia harus terus bertugas kerana terasa selesa dan ada masa untuk menabung untuk masa depan dia.. Dia kena berkorban, harus pergi pada umur 56 juga jangan ditangguh hingga ke 60.. Sistem perlu di ubah dan nafas baru perlu diberikan segera...didalam sistem perkhidmatan yang aku anuti ini adalah tertutup tidak macam sistem gunasama yang terbuka dimana peluang mereka adalah luas..didalam keadaan sekarang pun dah ada yang memohon "option" bersara awal kerana lambat menunggu peluang naik pangkat, kalaulah peluang itu dilewatkan lagi selama 4 tahun sampai umur 60 maka, akan ramailah agaknya bangkai bernyawa dipejabat kerana semua nak "option" ...maka bukannya hak kita kalau semua tak diluluskan.... Entahlah jiwa aku ni, memberontak je...
" It is not necessary to change,
Survival is not mandatory "
W. Edwards Deming
Masa yang amat payah bagi merubah keadaan adalah apabila dah sampai dikemuncak timbunannya.
Apabila perkara lazimnya selama ini berjalan dengan baik maka ia nya amat payah dipujuk kerana keselamatan dan kedudukannya tergugat dan berisiko tinggi. Tetapi mengharuskan tunggul dan kayu mati didalam dunia yang mencabar dan sentiasa berubah dalam sekelip mata memerlukan juga perubahan setimpal dan segera jua. Kita perlu melawan keadaan selesa dan puashati. Budaya harus dicanang dan dipraktikkan dimana kita semua menghayati dan menghendaki perubahan itu, bukan untuk duduk di tempat empuk sambil lena dibuai mimpi.
PTK - Pencen Tak Kemana ??
CUEPACS tidak peduli kesan lanjut umur persaraan
Oleh AZMAN ANUAR
(WARTAWAN UTUSAN)
MAJORITI kakitangan kerajaan sekarang boleh tersenyum lebar apabila lima daripada enam 'tuntutan' Kongres Kesatuan Pekerja-Pekerja Dalam Perkhidmatan Awam (CUEPACS) akhirnya dipersetujui oleh Perdana Menteri.
Kelmarin dengan wajah ceria, Presiden CUEPACS, Omar Osman mengumumkan secara ringkas lima perkara yang diterima itu. Pemimpin CUEPACS nampaknya tidak peduli suasana sosioekonomi dan politik negara. Barangkali jika tuntutan tidak dipersetujui oleh Perdana Menteri, Khamis lalu, mungkin cadangan mereka memboikot majlis sambutan Hari Pekerja akan diteruskan. Walaupun kerajaan tidak bersetuju pemberian honorarium RM2,000 tetapi secara jelas kakitangan awam telah berjaya mendapat tambahan pendapatan daripada kadar pencen, lanjutan umur persaraan, elaun kritikal dan penambahan elaun perumahan. Pemansuhan peperiksaan Penilaian Tahap Kecekapan (PTK) dilihat usaha memotong 'tali ikatan' di badan kakitangan awam daripada peraturan ketat penilaian prestasi. Hakikat sekarang, kerajaan telah membuat persetujuan dengan CUEPACS yang dikatakan mewakili 1.2 juta kakitangan awam negara ini. Namun, perkara berkaitan lanjutan umur persaraan perlu dikaji secara teliti terutama mengambil kira pelbagai implikasinya. Melanjutkan usia persaraan kepada usia 60 tahun adalah tidak wajar untuk semua sektor kerajaan. Dalam tempoh sekarang, cadangan ini perlu dikaji dengan semasak-masak agar keputusan itu tidak memudaratkan kerajaan sendiri. Walaupun terdapat penjimatan bayaran pencen dan penangguhan imbuhan persaraan, tetapi kerajaan sebenarnya terpaksa membayar lebih berikutan lanjutan umur secara pukul rata itu. Sebab itu kerajaan tidak patut terikat untuk memberikan lanjutan umur persaraan secara pukul rata kepada semua kakitangan kerana ia tidak membantu meningkatkan kecekapan atau produktiviti sektor awam. Selain itu, kerajaan perlu memikirkan kakitangan yang sudah berumur 56 tahun mungkin tidak dapat menunjukkan mutu perkhidmatan yang baik kerana ditimpa pelbagai penyakit dan lemah keupayaan fizikal dan minda. Jika kerajaan bersetuju melanjutkan usia persaraan sama ada 57, 58, 59 atau 60 tahun sekalipun, ketika itu kerajaan tidak dapat memberhentikan kakitangan berkenaan sesuka hati kerana peraturan dan pelbagai alasan dicari untuk tidak membenarkannya.
Pada hemat penulis, apabila tiba masanya bagi seseorang itu bersara maka dia patutlah bersara. Melanjutkan had umur persaraan itu perlu dihalusi dan dikaji sebaik-baik mungkin dan bukan boleh dibuat main-main. Banyak aspek mengenai keperluan terutama dari segi perjawatan perlu diambil kira jika ia dilaksanakan. Kerajaan kena melihat keperluan semasa. Modal insan lepasan persekolahan dan institusi pengajian tinggi pun hendak bekerja di sektor awam. Apakah jawatan itu hendak terus dipegang orang lama saja?
Kecuali kalau individu itu memiliki kehebatan dari segi mental dan fizikal serta prestasi kerja atau keupayaan menunaikan tanggungjawab dengan sempurna. Sebab itu, adalah wajar diteruskan amalan melanjutkan tempoh perkhidmatan kepada pegawai yang sudah melepasi had umur persaraan berdasarkan kontrak sahaja. Pun begitu, 'anugerah' ini dihadkan kepada mereka yang benar-benar memiliki keistimewaan dan kebolehan menyampaikan tanggungjawab dengan baik sahaja. Perjuangan melanjutkan usia persaraan kakitangan awam bukan isu baru diperjuangkan oleh CUEPACS. Alasan utama pemimpin CUEPACS adalah bagi menyelesaikan masalah kegagalan pesara merancang simpanan untuk kegunaan hari tua. Tetapi, jika dibandingkan dengan pesara swasta, pesara sektor awam lebih baik kerana mendapat wang pencen bulanan secara tetap. Sepatutnya jika mereka yang berusia 56 tahun ingin terus bekerja kerana masalah kewangan, carilah pekerjaan lain bagi menampung keperluan keluarga. Bukan menumpang hasil cukai wang rakyat. Harus diingat bahawa banyak implikasi jika persetujuan melanjut umur persaraan 60 tahun diterima oleh kerajaan. Paling utama, ia menutup peluang orang ramai untuk mendapat ribuan kerja setiap tahun di sektor kerajaan, sekali gus meningkatkan kadar pengangguran. Kerajaan harus sedar bahawa isu pengangguran ini bukanlah satu isu yang remeh. Modal insan generasi muda tidak patut dipersia-siakan untuk dilatih menjadi barisan pemimpin pelapis kerajaan. Kita percaya, bukan menjadi hasrat kerajaan untuk membenarkan pegawai tidak produktif terus berkhidmat sehingga berumur 60 tahun. Tetapi jika cadangan memanjangkan umur bersara dilaksanakan, adalah tidak mustahil jika pegawai yang tidak produktif juga ingin terus berkhidmat di atas alasan perlu menyara hidup yang tinggi. Kerajaan belum terlewat untuk melihat rasional lanjut tempoh umur persaraan itu.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
PTK - Prihatin Teras Kejayaan
Kerajaan tolak pemberian honorarium
17/04/2008 4:37pm
PUTRAJAYA 17 April - Kerajaan menolak pemberian honorarium RM2,000 kepada kakitangan kerajaan tetapi menerima lima lagi tuntutan Kongres Kesatuan Pekerja-Pekerja Dalam Perkhidmatan Awam (CUEPACS) yang telah dikemukakan sejak tiga tahun lalu. Presiden CUEPACS, Omar Osman berkata, keputusan tersebut dipersetujui pada mesyuarat bersama Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi di sini hari ini. "Butiran lanjut mengenai lima tuntutan yang akan dipenuhi itu akan diumumkan oleh Perdana Menteri sedikit masa lagi,'' katanya pada sidang akhbar di sini. Lima tuntutan yang diterima itu adalah kadar pencen mengikut perkhidmatan, lanjutan umur persaraan daripada 56 tahun kepada 60 tahun, pemansuhan peperiksaan Penilaian Tahap Kecekapan (PTK), pemberian semula elaun kritikal dan penambahan elaun perumahan kepada RM230 berbanding RM180 hari ini.- Utusan
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