MELAKA – The challenges to eliminate the Covid-19 pandemic has not hampered efforts to empower the public sector, which is one of the government’s main agenda to ensure efficient, transparent and people-friendly service system, said Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
The prime minister said the responsibility of civil servants now is to make the new norm a culture, so that public service will be effectively delivered to the target group, while increasing their productivity.
He said at the government level, it was important that more initiatives be implemented to improve integrity and governance, such as through efforts to combat corruption to ensure efficiency and transparency of the administration.
“As local authorities are among the frontliners who are often exposed to corruption, efforts to combat this crime need to remain as an important agenda that should be widely implemented among their personnel.
“This is so that we can create a work culture with integrity without compromising on any code of values and ethics,” he said at the virtual officiating ceremony of the 27th triennial general meeting of the Amalgamated National Union of Local Authorities Employees at the Melaka International Trade Centre here today.
In his 10-minute speech, Muhyiddin also called on local authorities and related agencies to go to the ground more often to observe and understand the current situation in their areas better, apart from looking into the issues faced by their personnel, who regularly meet with the public to solve their problems.
He also welcomed the union’s efforts to work closely with the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services to address problems among their members, especially civil servants, to ensure their well-being.
“This general meeting is an opportunity for all members to discuss and voice out their views and opinions on issues related to their welfare. I do hope that we can all work together to ensure that the rights and welfare of every civil servant can be protected and preserved in the best possible way.
“I also hope that the union will continue playing its role as the eyes and ears of the government in the local community with the cooperation from the Housing and Local Government Ministry and its agencies, including the local community,” he said. – Bernama, December 28, 2020