Najib begins push to transform government

By Syed Jaymal Zahiid

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 15 - The Najib administration unveiled an ambitious road map today for what is being touted as its Government Transformation Programme (GTP) to equip civil servants with “radical, practical and innovative” solutions to increase efficiency.

The two men handpicked to oversee the project – Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon and Datuk Seri Idris Jala, announced an outline today of the plan that will see public and private sector particpation as well as a concerted effort to seek public feedback.

The GTP is part of Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s initiative to objectify its key performance indicators (KPIs) by fulfilling the six identified National Key Results Area or NKRA.

Pemandu, or the Performance Management and Delivery Unit, will be the vehicle leading the GTP.

“It is a hybrid organisation,” said Idris who has been appointed as Pemandu CEO.

“The composition will be of the best of those from the private and public sectors.”

Idris said Pemandu will focus on three priority activities. One of them will be to conduct “labs” on each of the six NKRAs and two other focus areas.

“The labs will build on work done, experience and insight gained by members of the civil service, with participants adopting intense open debates and hands-on deck approach,” said Idris in his Pemandu presentation to the media.

The objectives of the “labs” is to better equip civil servants with “radical, practical and innovative” solutions as part of the government effort to increase efficiency.

The “labs” will be begin as early as next month and will continue until November.

Datuk Seri Najib Razak is also keen on “revolutionising” governance by introducing the “Open House” initiative, a programme to encourage participation from members of the public in providing inputs on how to realise the GTP.

The third activity would be the roll-out of a 1Malaysia government transformation roadmap that will detail the priorities and delivery plans for each of the NKRAs.

“The roadmap will be followed by a the publication of annual reports to update the public on delivery progress against announced plans and targets. It will be distributed to the public as printed copies or online viewing on government websites,” said Idris.

Both the Open House and 1Malaysia roadmap will start early next year.

On Pemandu’s structure, Idris said he had not yet finalised the manpower required but has begun recruiting.

It is expected to be fully operational by early 2010.