THE public expects civil servants to be very committed when carrying out their services and responsibilities entrusted to them.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said this before he presented the 2022 Excellent Service Awards to a total of 309 recipients under the Penang State Secretariat at the Bertam Resort in Kepala Batas this afternoon.
“We all need to ensure that the public service is in line with government policy, particularly in efforts to strengthen human capital and enhance services based on digital technology.
“Although there is a negative stigma that is often associated with the award recipients, based on experience, I am confident and believe that there are still many who are and have been working to fulfil the responsibilities and trust given to them with dedication, efficiency, and productivity.
“So, continue to be a role model to inject enthusiasm and inspire other colleagues to work together to provide excellent service and further push the state to a more glorious level.
“Also, continue to deliver your services with excellence and quality to make the people happy and the state prosperous,” Chow said in his speech.
He said the state government appreciated the commitment and dedication shown by the civil servants while the state and country underwent three crises – health, economy, and politics in the last few years.
He said the fact that the state government announced that it had achieved 90 per cent of its 68 pledges in Pakatan Harapan’s 2018 manifesto showed that the public servants had carried out their responsibilities with excellence.
State Secretary Datuk Mohd Sayuthi Bakar also congratulated the recipients from 21 state departments and three state statutory bodies and urged them to maintain their high performance, integrity, professionalism, and excellence.
He said the efficiency of public services in Penang is a testament to the state’s success in achieving the highest growth rate among the states in Malaysia in 2021, at 6.8%, with a corresponding increase in its contribution to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) to 7.1%.
He said with seven years left before the Penang2030 vision is achieved, the state public administration needs to be mobilised towards the realisation of the vision, hence the theme of the award ceremony remains “Outstanding Public Servants, Leading the Penang2030 Vision.”
“The Covid-19 pandemic has taught us the courage to change where we combine all our energies and minds to meet the aspirations of the people.
“Change requires a catalyst, and every civil servant is a catalyst for effective change. When we are committed and work as a team, any task or responsibility can be carried out with excellence.
“Public services need to be dynamic and responsive to the needs of the people and the state of Penang in particular.
“We, as civil servants, must be resilient, flexible, agile, and innovative. This approach requires us to take action quickly and without delay,” Mohd Sayuthi said.
Also present were state Financial Officer Zabidah Safar, Deputy State Secretary (Management) Datuk Ahmad Rizal Mohd Hanapiah, state Mufti Datuk Seri Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor, and heads of various departments.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar
Video by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis