PUTRAJAYA: THE government estimates that it can save RM400 million this year with the implementation of 11 cost-cutting measures in the public sector.
Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa said the savings would be part of civil servants' contributions to the country.
Delivering his New Year message to more than 1,000 civil servants from all ministries, departments and agencies, Ali said the effort reflected the public sector's commitment to cut costs.
"These measures show that civil servants share the effect of spending cuts with the people, consistent with the concept of Merakyatkan Perkhidmatan Awam (making the civil service people-oriented)."
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had announced the 11 measures to reduce public expenditure last year.
The measures include slashing toll and entertainment allowances for ministers and deputy ministers, reducing energy consumption in government premises and cutting down on meals at functions.
Najib also instructed government premises to slash their electricity bills by five per cent and cut senior officials' toll benefits by 30 per cent, or between RM50 and RM100.
Present were Treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Siregar Abdullah, Public Service Department director-general Tan Sri Mohamad Zabidi Zainal and newly appointed Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services president Azih Muda.
In his speech, titled "Meneruskan Momentum Transformasi, Merakyatkan Perkhidmatan Awam" Ali also touched on the government's transformation in its policies and delivery systems.
He also stressed the need for department heads to keep abreast with financing standards and procedures in approving contracts to improve the civil service's performance in the Auditor-General's Report.
He also launched a booklet outlining the principles in making the civil service people-oriented.
"It is the government's aspiration that these initiatives could be translated effectively by civil servants and delivered comprehensively and effectively to the people.
"I want you to provide outstanding service and, likewise, as Malaysians, you too expect excellent service."
The booklet's topics are: Making the Civil Service People-Oriented, Prosperity and Excellence, Six Principles of People-Oriented Civil Service, Civil Service Excellence Towards Realising Vision 2020, and Action Plan Towards Excellence and Prosperity.
The six principles of people-oriented civil service are openness and approachability; going down to the grassroots; engagement; soft skills -- striking a balance between spiritual and physical aspects and sense of belonging; and, public-private and non-governmental organisation partnership -- resource- sharing and collaboration.
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