Page 117 - KSN English Final

FAST FORWARD : ENERGISE The reason I am asking these questions is because I strongly believe that
we must take some time to be introspective, and question ourselves as to
TO INSPIRE! whether we are giving our best in the pursuit of excellence for our nation.
I do not want us to be caught in the same old cycle of doing things and
become complacent, as complacency will inevitably lead us to become
irrelevant. We must change with the times, and innovate and reinvent
ourselves and our services.
would like to take this opportunity to thank the National Institute of
Public Administration (INTAN) for organising this Interaction Session I would like to give you an example from the corporate world. We have
I and inviting me to be with all of you today. I have been informed that all heard of the brand Nokia and I am sure that when the name comes up,
for this Advanced Leadership and Management Programme (ALMP), we will think of mobile phones which were hugely popular not too long
there are 37 participants from 33 Ministries and four Central Agencies. ago. But where is Nokia today? Having lost the smartphone market share
to Apple with the introduction of iPhones in 2007, Nokia announced its
I always look forward to these sessions, and as with previous ALMPs partnership with Microsoft last year as a move to reinvent itself and build
held, I would like to hear your views and ideas on our public sector. its next chapter. However, just last month, Microsoft announced that the
I hope this will be a truly interactive session; a dialogue instead of a Nokia branding will be dropped from all future Microsoft phones. Is this
monologue; and I encourage you to voice your opinions and thoughts the death of Nokia as we know it? How, and why did this happen?
in the next hour or so.
There are plenty of other big name brands that have disappeared over the
I believe all of us are not strangers to the objectives and programmes years as they struggle to overcome challenges from global trends, changes
rolled out under the National Transformation Agenda. And many of us are in customers’ expectations and technological advancement. I would like
involved directly or indirectly in the transformation initiatives under the to remind you that in essence, the public sector is no different. We also
Government Transformation Programme and Economic Transformation face challenges that force us to come up with innovative solutions or
Programme. At the same time, I will not go into the details of the six risk becoming irrelevant to our stakeholders. These challenges include
principles of Merakyatkan Perkhidmatan Awam, or share with you the changes in policies, fiscal pressures, greater demand and expectations
successes under the National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS), where we from the citizens, and our own quest to become a high-performing public
enhance collaboration and break down the silo mentality that is often sector. The signs are there for us to see; that our relevance is at stake. The
prevalent. As senior officers in the civil service, I expect all of you to engagement of private consultants and advisers in the conduct of studies
be well aware and in-the-know of all these programmes and initiatives, on public policies and recommendations on public issues signify that
and to keep yourself updated. Hence, I would like to focus on two main there exists a capabilities and competencies gap of which we, the civil
areas this evening: innovation in the public sector, and leadership. servants, are unable to fill.

I would like to bring your attention to a few questions for you to think In my readings on innovation, I have noted that there are six types of
over. As public servants, we are expected to introduce robust policies innovation in the public sector. Firstly, services innovation, where a
and strategies that can bring the nation forward and achieve our vision new or improved service is introduced. Secondly, services delivery
to become a high-income developed nation by 2020. My question to innovation, that is, a new or different way of providing a service. Thirdly,
you is this: Do you think that in your capacity as a civil servant, you administrative or organisational innovation, often through a new process.
have given your best towards nation-building? Are you equipped with Fourth, conceptual innovation, that is a new way of looking at problems,
the necessary skills, knowledge and experience? And ultimately, is what challenging current assumptions, or both. Fifth, policy innovation, which
you are doing relevant and benefiting the rakyat? is a change in policy thinking or behavioural intentions. And lastly,

106 Humanising The Public Service : A Compilation of Speeches by the Chief Secretary to the Government 107