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.

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