Q1 performance report for 27 sec-gen to be presented in early May
SEPANG: Chief Secretary to the Malaysian Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar ( pic ) expects the first quarter (Q1) performance report for 27 secretaries-general to be presented to him in early May this year as part of efforts to institutionalise a more dynamic and data-driven public service monitoring system.
He said the reports mark a critical milestone in fully implementing the Demerit Performance Evaluation (Deep), a strategic control mechanism designed to elevate accountability and governance standards across the civil service.
"Deep goes beyond traditional annual assessments. It provides a fairer and more flexible system through continuous performance monitoring on a monthly, quarterly, and semi-annual basis," he said in his speech at the Round Table Session with the Chief Secretary to the Government on the National Good Governance Agenda here on Thursday (April 24).
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban and Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, along with senior public service leaders, policy planners and governance experts also attended today's event, where the strategic direction of the national good governance agenda was discussed.
Shamsul Azri said Deep introduces a "remerit" element that not only penalises underperformance but also rewards positive improvements and consistent compliance with governance benchmarks.
The mechanism, which supports the Public Service Reform Agenda (Arpa), is structured around two core components - demerit and remerit - assessed through three performance dimensions: Generic (75%), Functional (15%), and Survey (10%).
The Generic Dimension includes seven key indicators such as operating and development expenditure efficiency, pre-implementation project status, delayed projects, and misconduct reporting, while the Functional Dimension reviews three high-impact programmes from each ministry, and the Survey Dimension is based on internal staff feedback.
Shamsul Azri said a pilot programme involving 13 secretaries-general was conducted in 2024, with full roll-out across ministries starting January this year, while engagement sessions with ministry officers were held in the first quarter to coordinate the implementation phase.
"Deep has proven to be an enabler under Arpa. It covers financial management, integrity, leadership, and programme effectiveness, serving as a push factor towards a more transparent and outcome-based public service," he stressed.
He also highlighted several other key Arpa initiatives that reflect the government's commitment to good governance, including the Public Administration Efficiency Commitment Act, the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA), and the Public-Private Partnership Master Plan 2030.
"These initiatives are not just slogans. They are structural reforms that will define how our public service operates and performs for years to come," he said. – Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Sayur Kita transforms nation's farms
KUALA LUMPUR: IN a world where consumers are increasingly conscious about the quality and safety of their food, one Malaysian startup is reshaping the fresh produce supply chain. Led by 30-year-old entrepreneur Naviin Thiaga, Sayur Kita Asia Sdn Bhd is an agritech company with a bold mission: to transform Malaysia's fragmented and often wasteful vegetable supply chain by creating a new generation of hyperlocal, pesticide-free farms, while empowering youth in the process. It is this socially driven vision, coupled with strong execution, that saw Naviin emerge as a winner of the Shell LiveWire Peninsular Malaysia programme in December 2022. Today, he continues to build momentum as a changemaker in the agriculture landscape. From Farm Crisis to Business Innovation A second-generation farmer from Johor Baru, Naviin grew up witnessing the many inequities and inefficiencies faced by farmers. "During the Covid-19 pandemic, this model collapsed. As a traditional farmer, I was forced to destroy harvests due to logistical failures and price distortions, despite rising consumer demand," he recalled. It was then that Naviin committed himself to fixing these systemic flaws through innovation. The result: Sayur Kita Asia, founded in 2022. The company's model leverages hydroponic systems, artificial intelligence (AI)-powered precision farming and the Internet of Things (IoT) automated greenhouses to deliver pesticide-free vegetables straight to consumers, often in less than 24 hours from harvest. This farm-to-door approach slashes traditional supply chains by days, reduces food miles and emissions, and ensures a fresher, healthier product. Empowering Young Farmers Sayur Kita's mission goes beyond farming innovation. At its core, the company is also a youth empowerment platform. Through partnerships with polytechnics, Sayur Kita has trained over 600 individuals in modern hydroponic techniques. Many of these young talent now operate or manage farms within Sayur Kita's growing network. "We need to cultivate a new generation of tech-savvy farmers. By giving them skills and ownership opportunities, we're not just improving agriculture — we're creating sustainable livelihoods," Naviin said. Sustainability at the Heart of Growth Sayur Kita Asia's operations are firmly aligned with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — from promoting food security (SDG 2), to driving decent work (SDG 8), to reducing environmental impact (SDGs 12 and 13). The farms use 90 per cent less water compared with traditional farming, eliminate chemical inputs entirely and incorporate AI-based analytics to optimise yields and minimise waste. Already, Sayur Kita runs three modern hydroponic facilities across Johor — in Desaru, Simpang Renggam and Mersing — covering a total of one acre, with another 20-acre landbank earmarked for future deployment. The Shell LiveWire Journey Sayur Kita's innovation journey began humbly, by converting discarded polystyrene boxes into hydroponic growing systems for its first market test. This creative bootstrapping mindset was sharpened through the Shell LiveWire Startup Bootcamp, where Naviin embraced the "Lean Startup" methodology to validate his business model. "We learned to test market demand quickly, maximise limited resources and scale sustainably," he said. The programme's mentorship helped Sayur Kita secure RM230,000 in joint-venture funding from Singaporean and domestic investors, enabling the transition from small-scale proof of concept to a professional agritech operation. Overcoming Growing Pains Scaling an agritech startup came with unique challenges. One of the biggest hurdles, said Naviin, was building technical capacity to install and operate climate-controlled hydroponic systems. To address this, Sayur Kita developed in-house training programmes for workers and forged partnerships with agricultural institutions to create a talent pipeline. "We adopted modular greenhouse designs to streamline installation and improve scalability," said Naviin. These innovations have helped the company maintain high quality standards while expanding its farm footprint. A Mentor's Impact Throughout this journey, Naviin credits much of his strategic growth to the guidance of Azuar Zainuddin, the chief executive officer of Satu Creative, the implementing partner for Shell LiveWire Malaysia. "What sets Azuar apart is his rare combination of humility and sharp business acumen, he possesses the remarkable ability to break down complex business concepts into actionable steps, teaching founders how to strategically build ventures from the ground up. "His decades of experience as a successful entrepreneur and his standing as a respected authority in the startup ecosystem make his insights practical and visionary," Naviin shared. He said Azuar's mentorship extended far beyond typical business advice, constantly urging entrepreneurs to question traditional models and adopt a disruptive, forward-thinking approach. Looking Ahead Sayur Kita is accelerating its expansion. The company plans to launch more hyperlocal farms, offer subscription-based produce delivery and spearhead community initiatives to promote healthy food. "We are expanding our network of hyperlocal, sustainable farms to bring you the cleanest, pesticide-free vegetables harvested at peak freshness and delivered straight to your community. "Our innovative farming methods eliminate harmful chemicals while shortening traditional supply chains, ensuring you receive nutrient rich produce that's truly fresh," Naviin said. When asked for his advice to other founders, Naviin quoted United States professional boxer Mike Tyson: "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face." Naviin said this truth captured the essence of the startup journey better than any business textbook could. "While many obsess over perfect plans and funding, the harsh truth is your first strategy will likely fail — and that's exactly how it should be. "The key differentiator isn't your starting resources or even your idea, but your ability to take those punches and keep moving forward," he added. With this grit and vision, Sayur Kita is well on its way to transforming not only how Malaysia farms, but how it feeds its people. Dreams Turned Reality With Shell LiveWire Shell LiveWire is the flagship enterprise development programme of Shell that strengthens local economies across the globe by promoting entrepreneurship and developing entrepreneurs. This programme, which kicked started in Peninsular Malaysia in 2022, aims to inspire young entrepreneurs to innovate and produce real business solutions that meet today's socio-economic needs.
Borneo Post
an hour ago
- Borneo Post
Introduce whipping to strengthen anti-corruption deterrence - lawyer
Chin Tek Ming KOTA KINABALU (June 14): The legal advisor of Parti Warisan, Chin Tek Ming, calls upon the government of Malaysia to urgently amend the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 (Act 694) to include whipping as an additional form of punishment, alongside the existing provisions of imprisonment and fine. At the moment, under section 16 to 24 of the MACC Act, the offenders face only a jail term of maximum 20 years and fine. Chin made the call as there are numerous exposed videos that involved at least eight state assemblymen (where some are state ministers) and one speaker of the state assembly allegedly connected to the mining scandals in the state. 'At present, several serious criminal offences under Malaysian law — including those under the Penal Code and the Dangerous Drugs Act— already carry whipping as part of the sentencing regime. This is a reflection of the severity with which these offences are viewed by our society and legal system,' he pointed out in a statement on Saturday. According to the lawyer, corruption is no less destructive. It erodes public trust, undermines governance, and causes irreparable harm to our nation's economy, institutions and future. Despite the existing punishments under the MACC Act, corruption remains pervasive and persistent. Clearly, the current punitive framework is insufficient to deter would-be offenders. To eradicate or at least significantly reduce corruption, he said it is time for Malaysia to send a stronger message. The inclusion of whipping — a form of corporal punishment known for its deterrent effect — would serve as a powerful signal that corruption is a heinous crime and will be dealt with firmly and decisively. 'This proposal is not about cruelty but about proportional justice and the need for real consequences that match the gravity of the offence. 'Malaysians deserve a clean and accountable government. To achieve that, our laws must evolve in tandem with the challenges we face. 'Don't forget, in China, the punishment for corruption is 'shoot' to death depending on the degree and amount of corrupted money received,' said Chin. Therefore, he urged the government, relevant ministers, and members of parliament to consider this amendment seriously in the next parliamentary sitting. 'This is in line with the intended reform by our present federal government,' he said.
Barnama
an hour ago
- Barnama
RM30 Million Fund To Boost Media's Digital Transformation
GENERAL KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 (Bernama) -- The RM30 million allocation announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for digital transformation will help media organisations adapt to the evolving media landscape, particularly in facing challenges posed by social media and meeting the expectations of the new generation, especially Gen Z. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the fund is one of the largest in the country's journalism history and aims to strengthen the digital capabilities of local media organisations. 'This may be one of the largest allocations ever provided for the media — RM30 million. 'We hope this fund will help media organisations navigate the ongoing changes, especially the emergence of social media and the preferences of new readers and viewers, particularly Gen Z,' he told a press conference after the HAWANA 2025 highlight event at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) today. Themed "Journalism in the New Era: Embracing AI, Safeguarding Ethics", the event was officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and attended by about 1,000 media practitioners from Malaysia and abroad. Also present at the press conference were Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, Capital A Bhd chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, and Bernama editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, who is also HAWANA 2025 project director. Fahmi said the fund was partly inspired by the success of a previous collaboration with Google, which involved over 30 media organisations in efforts to find new revenue sources through digital platforms. This year, the partnership continues with a new initiative known as Project Sigma, named to reflect Gen Z's interest in the term. The project aims to help media organisations better understand the content consumption behaviour of the younger generation. 'The results from Project Sigma were very encouraging. The RM30 million fund will not only support similar initiatives but also help media outlets explore new platforms, reach new audiences, and experiment with new formats in the pursuit of sustainability,' he said.
