Malaysian Prime Minister, Muhyiddin Yassin (pictured) has promised the country’s 1.6 million-strong Public Service will not be downsized as a result of the introduction of e-government.
“While an increase in productivity and Public Service effectiveness is important, this must not be linked with making the Civil Service workforce smaller,” Tan Sri Muhyiddin said.
“Civil Servants can carry out multiple tasks to enhance public delivery services. The use of technology cannot be avoided, and the Civil Service workforce must also find ways to improve work quality,” he said.
Speaking to a meeting of senior Public Servants at which he took questions and gave answers, the Prime Minister said that e-government meant that where three people were once needed to accomplish a single task, now one would suffice.
“However, the other two will be able to work on other tasks once the e-government is implemented,” Tan Sri Muhyiddin said.
While acknowledging the fact that jobs would be very different once e-government fully took off, the Prime Minister said the technologies applied would add value to Public Service delivery.
“I am satisfied with the performance of Civil Servants, but I expect them to perform at an even higher level in future because current developments are going to require it,” he said.
Kuala Lumpur, 1 September 2020
