Review workflow, PM tells govt agencies
New Straits Times – 7 Feb. 2006

Outdated work procedures among government agencies such as the Anti-Corruption Agency and the Attorney-General’s Chambers have led to unwarranted delays, and the Prime Minister wants them straightened out. Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said such procedures should be reviewed to meet current needs. The Prime Minister said ministers and heads of departments and agencies should initiate such reviews. He said the Prime Minister’s Department should not be blamed for such delays.

"We do not want them (the departments and agencies) to say the PM’s Department causes the delay. We do not want them to use the (PM’s) department as an excuse. All of us must take measures to identify weaknesses," he told the staff of departments and agencies under the Prime Minister’s Department at their monthly gathering today.

Improved procedures would make public servants better and more efficient workers, he added. Abdullah said he, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, other ministers and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Samsudin Osman would work closely on the matter. The Prime Minister said the national emergency plan was also in dire need of a review.
"It is about time the national (disaster and) security committee, responsible for assisting victims of disasters, reviewed contingency plans. We should be looking at the manuals and work procedures to ensure they are suitable for today’s needs. The one that we have was drawn up a long time ago." Abdullah said the committee should also review the role of non-governmental organisations in disaster response.
"The existing emergency plan is outdated. We must review and analyse weaknesses and once this is done, carry out a study so that the procedures and sections can be improved." He said committees had been formed in all ministries, departments and agencies to monitor the efficiency of the system.
"These committees must ensure that everything works well, not only in the PM’s Department but also in other ministries and agencies."  On the Ninth Malaysia Plan, Abdullah reminded agencies and departments not to use it as an excuse to delay implementation of projects earmarked under the eighth plan. This (preparation of the 9MP) does not mean that we do nothing but wait. Projects under the 8MP must continue to be implemented, monitored and completed according to schedule." Abdullah said the budgets approved for 8MP projects should be utilised.
He reminded agencies such as the Implementation and Co-ordination Unit and Malaysian Administration, Modernisation and Planning Unit to continue monitoring the implementation of 8MP projects. Also present at the gathering were his deputy Najib, Minister in the PM’s Department (Legal Affairs) Datuk Radzi Sheikh Ahmad, Deputy Minister in the PM’s Department Datuk M. Kayveas, and Samsudin.