Speed up projects, federal, and state civil servants told

KOTA KINABALU: CHIEF Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman wants state and federal civil servants to work closely  for  the people. 

"Federal and state civil servants should double their efforts this year to ensure all government programmes can be implemented speedily and successfully," he said at a gathering with members of the federal civil service here.

Musa thanked government servants who had contributed in education, social and economic development, as well as state security.

"I am also grateful to the Federal Government, which until now has created about 100,000 federal service posts in the state.

"It has not only provided job opportunities for the people of Sabah, but also helped in boosting the state's economy through a budget that reached almost RM7 billion last year."

Musa also encouraged the practice of the 3C (communication, coordination and cooperation) approach in dealing between or among ministries, agencies, federal and state government.

"If good communication is practised and cultivated among them, it will not only solve problems, but also simplify a lot of things. Coordination and cooperation are also elements that have to be emphasised and applied as it determines the success of any project."

Present were state federal secretary Datuk Abu Bakar Hassan and state secretary Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman.

Abu Bakar urged civil servants to focus on the implementation of the 2013 Budget agendas, as well as improve delivery service to clients via Blue Ocean Strategy.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman greeting government officers attending the Federal Civil Service Assembly yesterday

NEW STRAITS TIMES

1MTC will optimise training facilities

PUTRAJAYA: The government has introduced 1Malaysia Training Centre (1MTC) to optimise the use of existing resources and training facilities.

It is also aimed at improving the delivery of government services, the Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (Mampu) said.

The move was inspired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, under the National Blue Ocean Strategy, it said.

In a statement, Mampu said that the centre would indirectly help make strategic deci-sions related to the use of public training institutes.

The initiative is led by Mampu and the Economic Planning Unit with several strategic partners, such as the Finance Ministry, Prime Minister's Department and Public Service Departments.

Other partners include the defence, rural and regional development, human resources, and youth and sports ministries.

Also involved is the One Malaysia for Youth (1M4U) set-up.

The 1MTC will be launched by the prime minister in March.

The first phase of the initiative will be implemented under a pilot project at the National Institute of Public Administration (or Intan), Judicial and Legal Training Institute (or Ilkap), National Institute of Valuation (or Inspen), Malaysia Islamic Training Institute (or Ilim) and Centre for Instructor and Advanced Skill Training.

Phase two of the initiative is expected to cover more centres.

Mampu said further information was available at the 1MTC online portal at www.1mtc.gov.my.

NST ONLINE

1MTC untuk realisasikan agenda transformasi negara

KUALA LUMPUR 14 Jan. - Kerajaan akan memperkenalkan Pusat Latihan 1Malaysia atau 1Malaysia Training Centre (1MTC) sebagai salah satu usaha untuk merealisasikan agenda transformasi negara.

Dalam satu kenyataan yang dikeluarkan Unit Pemodenan Tadbiran dan Perancangan Pengurusan Malaysia (MAMPU), projek tersebut bertujuan mengoptimumkan penggunaan sumber dan kemudahan latihan sedia ada di 324 institut latihan awam seluruh agensi sektor awam.

Inisiatif yang diilhamkan oleh Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak itu merupakan satu lagi projek National Flagship di bawah Jawatankuasa Strategi Lautan Biru Kebangsaan untuk meningkatkan penyampaian perkhidmatan kerajaan.

UTUSAN MALAYSIA ONLINE

People are all praises for speedy service at Immigration Department’s new office

IT IS now a pleasure to visit the Immigration Department.” “I was totally amazed at how fast and easy it is to renew our maid’s visa.” “We got our passport renewed in less than an hour!”

Such declarations from KL citizens are indeed rare, especially when one is talking about the Immigration Department which has a reputation of being slow.

But these were the testimonials StarMetro received from contented members of the public during a surprise visit to the department at Kompleks KDN Jalan Duta in Jalan Sri Hartamas 1, Kuala Lumpur, recently.

Simply put, they were genuinely happy with the service rendered to them.

It is no secret that in the past, any visit to the Immigration Department was often described as a “nightmare”.

But gone are the interminable waits in hot, crowded rooms with a system that used to be unprofessional and slow.

Since relocating from their ageing complex at Pusat Bandar Damansara to Kompleks KDN on Oct 17, 2011, the department has been a pleasant place, both posh and spacious. The building is also home to the Home Affairs Ministry (Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur branch).

Citizens and guests at the Immigration Department can now wait in well-lit, comfortably air-conditioned areas while waiting to deal with Immigration staff.

“I am happy that it took less than an hour to get my passport renewed,” said Ibrahim Abdullah from Cheras, who was there with his wife and two-month-old daughter.

Ibrahim was directed to the special counter that caters to parents with babies. The counter also caters to senior citizens, the disabled and pregnant women to ensure that their applications are carried out smoothly.

A Pakistani expatriate, who was at the deparment to check on his visa status, was largely happy with the service. However, he said, it would be more convenient if some of the signage were in both Bahasa Malaysia and English.

“Counters dealing with student passes and visas for foreigners must have ample signs in English, too,” he said.

Immigration Deparment KL branch deputy director Azrin Zainal Abidin said: “There is a marked difference in the way people view us now, I will not deny that it is more positive, but it has a lot to do with the ambience and the operations here is more controlled and better planned.

“Our staff, too, are more energetic and happy as we have facilities catering to their health and well-being, such a badminton court, and, of course, parking is free. All these put together make happy employees, and happy employees work better and, in turn, will serve the public better.”

The complex also houses six other agencies, namely the People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela), National Registration department, National Anti-Drug Agency, Civil Defence Deparment, the Film Censorship Board and Enforcement and the Registrar of Societies.

The main building consists of a podium, the tower and a multi-purpose hall. Facilities available include meeting rooms, an auditorium, a canteen, a surau and services such as a mobile post office, photostat and printing kiosk and a commissioner of oath.

The Immigration Department handles between 12,000 and 14,000 passport applications per month, meaning about 400 to 700 applications per day. “During the school holidays the number can easily reach 1,000,” Azrin said.

“During the school break, we once extended our services until 10pm, including Saturdays and Sundays. We may do that again since the response had been overwhelming.”

Passport Renewal Kiosks (KiPPas) are also available on Level 1.

Another plus point is that under the 2013 Budget, senior citizens and children below the age of two are now only charged RM100 (two years) and RM150 (five years) for the renewal of passports.

Previously, they were charged RM150 and RM300, respectively.

·Issuing of passports and travel documents to Malaysian citizens and permanent residents.

·Issuing of visas, passes and permits to foreign nationals entering Malaysia.

·Administering and managing the movement of people at authorised entry and exit points.

·Enforcing the Immigration Act 1959/63, Immigration Regulations 1963 and Passport Act 1966.

The Immigration Department in Kuala Lumpur is at No 69, Jalan Sri Hartamas 1, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. For enquiries call, 03-6205-7400

Office hours are:

Monday to Friday: 7.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5.30pm

Saturday and Sunday: 8am to 1pm (passport processing only)

Passport renewal is usually within one hour and online applications can be made at http://www.imi.gov.my

THE STAR ONLINE

7 priorities for civil servants

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday listed seven areas for civil servants to focus on this year.

Speaking at the first monthly gathering of the Prime Minister’s Department this year, he urged them to ensure the 2013 Budget was implemented smoothly by focusing on the national transformation agenda, which had a direct impact on the people.

This, he said, was in line with the budget’s theme of “Prospering the Nation, Ensuring Wellbeing of the People: Promises Fulfilled”.

Describing 2012 as a successful year for the government, Najib told civil servants that this did not mean they could rest on their laurels as they still had to work hard for the country to achieve the status of a developed and highincome nation.

“As a Malaysian race which aims for excellence, we must not be too comfortable or complacent even though we achieved many successes last year,” he said.

"I want 2013 to be a year where we can achieve more successes and, if possible, redouble efforts so that we can achieve bigger successes. Let us renew our resolution and determination for 2013." 

The six other priorities Najib emphasised involved strengthening national unity, managing the economy and distribution of wealth, implementing government initiatives like the Malaysia Education Blueprint and Rural and Urban Tansformation Centres, key performance indices for ministries and better delivery of services to the people.

Najib said strengthening national unity using the 1Malaysia concept would ensure that all strata of society felt the government was fair, equitable and inclusive.

Through continuous economic growth, the government could ensure national wealth was enjoyed by the majority of the people.

Najib reminded civil servants that 2013 brought them closer to Vision 2020.

"We must enhance our competitiveness level as more initiatives will be announced this year, like the Malaysia Education Blueprint, which will have a huge impact on the future development of human capital.

"I hope to see a civil service that is more vibrant."

Najib also commented on Malaysia's recent success in global rankings, with International Living, a monthly newsletter covering topics like retiring overseas and living abroad, ranking Malaysia among its top three retirement countries for this year.

"The focus of the survey was on value for money. This shows the world recognises our stability, peace and economic achievement."

Present were Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Chief Secretary to the Government Datuk Seri Dr Ali Hamsa, as well as ministers and deputy ministers in the Prime Minister's Department.

NEW STRAITS TIMES

Berita@INTURA Disember 2012

Projek Latihan Januari 2013