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CHARTING AND STAYING THE provided are relevant, we as public servants must continuously innovate
and face the coming future with an inquisitive mind and an open heart.
COURSE : ACTUALIZING At the Prime Minister’s Innovation Awards 2013 ceremony last week, our
MALAYSIA’S SUCCESS Prime Minister, Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji

Abdul Razak commended the public sector for showing that it can rise to
the call of innovation. In his speech, he mentioned that all this while, it
was often thought that the public sector had a tendency to be orthodox
and adopting a conventional approach. However, when the challenge of
irst and foremost, allow me to take this opportunity to thank innovation was thrown, the public sector proved that it could rise to the
the Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management occasion. He cited examples of public sector innovation that we can all
FPlanning Unit (MAMPU), Prime Minister’s Department and be proud of, namely the establishment of Urban Transformation Centres
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) for jointly organising the inaugural Public (UTCs) and Rural Transformation Centres (RTCs), higher tax collection
Sector Forum this morning. I strongly encourage and fully support such by the Inland Revenue Board, and the listing of FELDA, the third biggest
events, as it exemplifies the close collaborative spirit between the public Initial Public Offering (IPO) in the world.
and private sector. This enables us to leverage the best from both worlds,
and bring together knowledge and expertise from different viewpoints. With these positive comments from our Prime Minister, I challenge all
of us here today to not rest on our laurels but instead to continue to
As we are fully aware, the Government has introduced various innovate and come up with creative ideas, so we may be able to serve the
programmes to stimulate the economy and improve the delivery of rakyat better. Innovation is no longer about technology or new products.
public services in the path to becoming a high-income developed nation. It now involves creating new channels of communication, new processes
Transformation is a critical part of our journey towards 2020, and the truth and new structures to better meet the rakyat’s demands. It is not only
is that change is never easy, particularly for a multi-faceted and complex about determining what needs to be done, but also about effective cost
institution like the Government. However, we are indeed fortunate management. In the era of fiscal austerity, we have to do “more for less”
that our leaders have the wisdom and foresight to chart our National and at times, “less for less”. Hence, the spirit of “low cost, high impact
Transformation Agenda in a holistic manner, integrating economic factors and rapid execution” under our National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS)
with other national priorities to address today’s challenges, while keeping must always be our guiding principle in the provision of services to the
a firm grasp on the issues ahead. rakyat.

Learning from other Governments is key in managing the various facets of In the eyes of the world, Malaysia is seen as a dynamic and competitive
transformation. We thank our friends from PwC for sharing with us their nation, with a development trajectory that is aimed for success by 2020.
experiences in advising other Governments on their issues and challenges, The World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business 2014 report ranked Malaysia at
including their recommendations on how to address these issues. This
forum offers the opportunity for us to have a frank dialogue on how we
can strategise better, do things differently in leading transformation, and
meet the challenges on the ground. Equip yourselves with knowledge and immerse
yourselves in the large canvas of subject-matter
I am sure that you will agree with me when I say that the rakyat today has
become more knowledgeable and demanding. Quality services delivered that will come your way. Knowledge is power,
at a faster rate, coupled with prudent management of public funds are but remember that with power comes great
expected. To ensure that these expectations are met and the services responsibility.

56 Humanising The Public Service : A Compilation of Speeches by the Chief Secretary to the Government 57