PENANG, November 2013 – Critical and significant challenges in determining the future of Public Service Department of Malaysia lies in producing human capital with dynamic thoughts and the capability for a paradigm shift towards creativity and innovativeness.

Director General of Public Service Department (PSD), Tan Sri Mohamad Zabidi Zainal said that the transformation framework has to involve the needs of PSD staff in improving their skills, competencies and knowledge to remain competitive.

He then added that the management of Human Resources (HR) Department needs to focus and give priority in producing high-quality human capital and dispel the common perception that HR only takes on a maintenance role.

“A public organisation needs to be more dynamic, have an open and optimal structure, combining all aspects as well as to get support through the fast, accurate, proactive and responsive delivery system,” he said during the launching of the National Public Sector Innovation Seminar 2013 recently organised by the Centre of Innovation and Productivity in Public Administration, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and INTAN.

Also present were the Vice-Chancellor of USM, Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman; Deputy Director General of the Public Service Department, Dato’ Dr. Ismail Alias; Penang State Secretary, Dato’ Farizan Darus; and the Director of INTAN, Dato’ Dr. Halim Man.

Mohamad Zabidi added that the ability of each organisation in the Public Service Department in absorbing the role of HR as a strategic partner is critical to ensure that our human capital is leading and following innovation efforts.

He said that transformation is important to ensure that the Public Service Department serves with excellence all the way through strategic and inclusive networking and collaboration.

“The challenges of globalization and liberalization also influence the national competitive performance and we have to look into our role, strategies, programmes and activities available on an ongoing basis.

“It also seeks public servants who are capable to multi-task, knowledgeable and enhancement of skill of the human capital to ensure that the country remains competitive, in-line with Malaysia’s economy shift to the production of knowledge-based economy (K-economy),” he said.

He added that efforts to face challenge and achieving Public Service Department transformation goal can be concluded with five strategic core values.

He said that it includes empowerment which is to improve the competency, performance, productivity, innovativeness of the staff, offering a new momentum to the organisation and develop the efficiency and effectiveness of Public Service Department.

He added that the fourth core is to extend strategic networking and collaboration locally and nationally while the fifth core value is to strengthen the spirit of patriotism, values and integrity.

Commenting on the seminar, Omar said the establishment of PIPPA is a strategy by USM in supporting of the transformation of Public Service Department agenda which currently run by the government.

He said PIPPA also plays a role in interpreting the concept of ‘knowledge for all’ that has been applied by USM for the past two years, in line with USM initiatives through APEX (Accelerated Programme for Excellence) partnership programmes.

He added that the concept of ‘knowledge for all’ means that we are not only ready for a formal education, conduct research or publications but as well as offering continuing professional development programmes to civil servants of various grades.

“In this matter, with the current challenge and public service transformation agenda that we are having at the moment, USM thinks that this continuous professional development programmes is no longer an option to the civil servants.

“We think it is necessary to guarantee that public servants are well equipped with knowledge, attitude and skill which are compatible and able to support the transformation agenda of civil services,” he said. - Translation: Siti Faizah Abd Halim/Text: Marziana Mohamed Alias/Photo: Mohd Fairus Md. Isa