M`SIAN PM WANTS PSD TO MAKE DYNAMIC CHANGES

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 12 (Bernama) -- Abdullah Ahmad Badawi urged the
Public Service Department (PSD) to make dynamic changes, not only to its policy,
but also in terms of services rendered to the public.
The Malaysian Prime Minister said the PSD cannot remain contended but rather
must start innovative and creative ways to enhance the quality of services and
delivery system in line with the needs of the rakyat.

He added that the process of shoddy work and non-friendly services to the
public must be reviewed and improved so that such services will become client
oriented and friendly.

The requirement, challenges and needs of today have changed drastically and
are far more different from the challenges faced 75 years ago because we have a
more learned society with high expectations for quality, effective and prompt
services.

"Globalisation also requires a country to be competitive and the private
sector expects the PSD to provide a conducive business environment to remain
competitive," he said after launching JPA's 75-year Diamond anniversary
celebrations at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) here
Thursay.


Also present at the ceremony were Melaka Chief Minister Mohd Khalil
Yaakob, Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Sidek Hassan and PSD
director general Ismail Adam.

The PSD was formed on Aug 22, 1934 in Singapore with the consent of the
Malay Rulers and was then called Malayan Establishment Office before moving to
Kuala Lumpur in 1954 and known as the Federation Establishment Office.

In 1967, its name was again changed to Establishment Office of Malaysia and
on Aug 15, 1968 given the name Public Service Department.

Abdullah said since PSD has a very important role in moulding effective
service personnel, its relevance was paramount to the country's success.

He said a PSD personnel must have a recognisable criteria in projecting a
public service character that differs from the rest. It would not be suffice to
have high qualifications, expertise and knowledge without good governance, human
and ethical values in providing public services.

Malaysia's public services are comparatively better than many countries,
especially in terms of job opportunities, salary, allowances and bonuses, he
said.

As a former PSD staff, Abdullah expressed gratitude to the department for
providing comprehensive training which has since become an asset for him in
dispensing his duties today.

"I am very happy to be appointed a government officer and placed under PSD
which is the best place to be and learn the do's and don'ts of public service"
he said.

Abdullah also urged young PSD officers in service, to study the values of
their job and responsibilities well and use their term in PSD to provide
efficient services to the community and country.

-- BERNAMA