THE performance of 27 ministry secretaries-general is now under structured scrutiny through a newly implemented system called the Demerit Performance Evaluation (DEEP), aimed at enhancing accountability, transparency, and efficiency at the apex of government administration.
Public Service Department director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz explained that the mechanism, introduced last year, monitors operational and development expenditure, project readiness, implementation schedules, delays, and any reports of misconduct.
“The system tracks operating and development expenditure against projections, project readiness, implementation schedules, delayed or problematic projects, and reports of misconduct.
“This means project delays or misconduct are no longer minor issues, but are recorded and assessed within the leadership performance framework,” he told Utusan Malaysia.
Wan Ahmad Dahlan emphasised that DEEP is not punitive.
“A demerit mark is not a punishment. It reflects failure to achieve targets, while merit marks recognise improvement efforts and strong internal controls,” he said, adding that the framework aligns with the Public Service Reform Agenda (ARPA) and broader government objectives.
He highlighted that the system now allows leadership performance to be measured quantitatively and transparently, covering financial management, project delivery, governance, integrity, and programme impact.
DEEP also functions as an early warning mechanism, providing periodic reporting to identify risks and enable corrective action before issues escalate.
Full evaluations of department heads are scheduled to begin next year, in line with Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar’s 2026 mandate, which calls for faster implementation, simplified public dealings, accelerated reforms, and enhanced communication.
“DEEP provides data-based insights to help ministries manage risks, improve monitoring and enhance delivery,” Wan Ahmad Dahlan said, emphasising that the approach seeks not merely to meet targets but to deliver tangible value to the public. - February 16, 2026
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