Govt Passes Law Committing To Be Efficient

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PARLIAMENT | The Dewan Rakyat has passed the Government Service Efficiency Commitment Bill 2025, which seeks to better government services by reducing red tape and implementing performance ratings.
The bill, which was passed via a majority voice vote in the Dewan Rakyat today, was debated by 11 MPs, some of whom raised concerns an how the law could increase the burden on civil servants.
Commenting on Clause 10(3) of the bill, Bersatu MP Radzi Jidin (PN-Putrajaya) pointed out the many levels of processes involved in assessing a government entity’s performance review report.
The clause states that the service performance report of a government agency will be examined by a qualified individual after their appointment by the minister, which will be preceded by consultations with the chief secretary to the government.
Upon receiving the findings, the chief secretary to the government will then review and consider the document before giving a rating to the government entity.
‘Too much power’
Backbencher Cha Kee Chin (Harapan-Rasah) questioned the extensive powers granted to the chief secretary to the government, who is tasked with establishing a rating method as well as planning, implementing and monitoring policies related to the efficiency commitment.
He also highlighted that the bill affords a significant amount of power to the head of government, asserting that while the current prime minister can be trusted, doubts remain over whether future premiers might not abuse such powers.
Rasah MP Cha Kee ChinNotably, the proposed legislation does not include provisions for penalising misdeeds - which contradicts the bill’s aim of improving government efficiency.
However, the government entity which receives a rating as determined by the chief secretary to the government might receive incentives and recognition from the government – including the granting of financial allocation.
Eliminate red rape
In her winding-up speech for the bill, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa advocated for the elimination of irrelevant procedures and red tape in the civil service.
She also said government officers will be able to carry out their duties more efficiently due to the removal or reduction of unnecessary processes.
Chief Secretary to the Government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar previously said the bill was part of the government’s efforts to improve Malaysia’s ranking in the Corruption Perception Index by enhancing overall administrative processes. - Mkini

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