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New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Malaysia, Singapore explore GovTech, housing, public sector reform
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and Singapore are now exploring strategic cooperation in three main areas – GovTech, public housing and public sector reform – to strengthen public service delivery. Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said these were the main areas of collaboration identified during his three-day official working visit to Singapore last Friday. "We want to learn from Singapore. Firstly, in regard to GovTech, as they have already implemented it, while we are in the process of launching our own. "Secondly, their affordable housing through the Singapore Housing Board. And thirdly, we want to learn about reforms in the public service," he said. He was speaking to reporters after launching the Association of Former Students of Mara Junior Science Colleges (Ansara) Sports Carnival 2025 here today. Shamsul Azri said Singapore welcomed the cooperation and exchange of best practices between the two countries to improve the quality of public service. "Singapore welcomed our proposals… we also had sessions with them to discuss strategic cooperation between the Malaysian government and the Singaporean government," he added. Earlier, in his speech, he urged Malaysians to adopt a healthy lifestyle through sports and good nutrition. Citing Singapore as an example, he said their average life expectancy is 84 years, compared to about 73 to 74 years in Malaysia. "We must remember that prevention is better than cure. To care is better than to cure," he said. – BERNAMA
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Chief Secretary warns civil servants against joining opposition-organised rally
PUTRAJAYA: Civil servants have been reminded not to participate in the opposition-organised rally scheduled for July 26. Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said civil servants must adhere to the pledge enshrined in the Rukun Negara. "They cannot attend. Civil servants recite the pledge every day, every week. "The Rukun Negara includes the principle of loyalty to the king and country... Have they forgotten? Be loyal to the king and country," he said after launching the Association of Former Students of Mara Junior Science Colleges (Ansara) Sports Carnival 2025 here today. Also present were the Ansara president, Noor Azizee Abd Aziz, and the chief executive officer of the Ansara Sports Carnival 2025, Kamarul Bahrin Hamzah. Shamsul Azri was responding to questions about whether any civil servants intended to join the rally. According to earlier media reports, Perikatan Nasional (PN) Youth Chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden said the rally at Dataran Merdeka is expected to draw 300,000 participants. Kuala Lumpur Acting Police Chief Datuk Mohamed Usuf Jan Mohamad previously said police expect 10,000 to 15,000 people to attend. He added that the organisers have informed the Dang Wangi district police headquarters about the rally. He said some 2,000 officers and personnel will be deployed to ensure the rally runs smoothly and to safeguard the participants and the public.
