KUCHING: Sarawak will allocate a sum of RM27 million for capacity building in the Sarawak Civil Service (SCS) workforce to facilitate them as enablers for change and transformation.
Finance and New Economy Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the pandemic has highlighted the need to continue strengthening public services that people rely on.
He said the robust implementation of numerous initiatives, programmes and projects under 12th Malaysia Plan require a competent and dedicated state civil servce workforce.
Under the 2023 Budget, he said greater emphasis will be given towards making state government services more accessible and digital friendly; managing talent through implementation of numerous Training, Education and Development (TED) programmes to help cultivate the leadership and help civil servants harness the skills to deliver world-class services.
“These programmes include sending senior officers abroad to attend courses and programmes organised by renowned higher learning institutions such as Harvard University and European Institute of Business Administration (INSEAD) Singapore.
“Besides, improving the recruitment system that enables us to attract the right and highly qualified candidates; enhancing the performance management system and introducing SCS Employee Well-being initiatives to improve job performance and increase productivity in the SCS Workforce.”
He said this when tabling the Supply (2023) Bill at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting on Today (Nov 21).
On restructuring of the state civil service, he said it is imperative to restructure the public sector for service delivery excellence and the initiative would include restructuring of public sector employment to address gaps in the SCS structure as well as to cater for expansion of public services.
“Upgrading and creation of posts will provide the civil service the required capacity to adjust and respond effectively and efficiently to the changing circumstances and align itself to meet the goals of Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030),” he pointed out.
The state government is also committed to provide for a conducive working environment for the well-being of the SCS and in 2023, a sum of RM28 million will be set aside for the maintenance of the state government building offices and quarters, specifically those in the rural areas.
Meanwhile, an additional sum of RM167 million will be allocated for the upgrading of the existing building and new construction.
Touching on strengthening good governance, Abang Johari said strengthening integrity among civil service and even civil society, will continue to be the top priority and that the governmet has embarked on strengthening integrity and good governance with the implementation of numerous initiatives and programmes under Anti-Corruption Plan.
Another key initiative he said is embarking on special integrity courses for SCS and that to date, the state government has 90 Certified Integrity Officers (CeIOs) and another 74 who have undergone three months training.
Apart from that, he said an Integrity Unit has also been set up in all state agencies to implement integrity related activities.
