Prioritise Meritocracy Over Bureaucracy In Public Services Says Minister

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Saifuddin Abdullah during the question-and-answer session at the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Malaysia Summit 2022.KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign minister Saifuddin Abdullah has called for a change in the way public services are managed with younger talents given the opportunity to lead.
He said part of the problem afflicting public services currently is that it tends to prioritise bureaucracy over meritocracy, leaving younger people behind.
He said there is a need to change this and give opportunities to younger talent based on their abilities.
“Sadly, we are still focused on bureaucracy over meritocracy. We need to change that but that is going to be very tough,” he said during a question-and-answer session at the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Malaysia Summit 2022.
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He cited the role of administrative and diplomatic (PTD) officers in the various ministries.
According to Saifuddin, PTD officers are recruited upon graduation, and they are moved from one ministry to another until they become a secretary-general (KSU).
“But our main issue is that we don’t have sufficient subject matter experts. By the time one becomes KSU, they are three years away from retirement and do not have time to become an expert in their field,” he said.
Saifuddin proposed that these PTD officers are promoted to the KSU position a lot sooner so that they can grow in their expertise over a longer period and better utilise their talents.
“When they achieve Grade 54 or Jusa C, move them within certain clusters. For instance, someone from Jusa C should probably move within the economic cluster like the international trade and industry ministry or the domestic trade and consumer affairs ministry,” he said.
Saifuddin pointed out that it would be a waste of talent if someone of that level is moved to a ministry that is less adequate for the skill set they possess.
“If you can’t beat the bureaucracy in terms of age, at least you can prove it through merit,” he said. - FMT

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