Latest news with #PublicServiceReformAgenda
The Star
7 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Selangor unveils framework for reforming governance
THE Selangor government has launched the Framework for Reforming the Delivery and Governance System (RSTU), a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing service delivery and governance to benefit the state's residents. Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said RSTU serves as a crucial enabler for implementing state government policies. 'Our framework aligns with the Federal Government's Public Service Reform Agenda (ARPA) to create a more efficient, transparent, and impactful delivery system,' he said. Amirudin emphasised that the RSTU signifies the state administration's dedication to progress and innovation. 'Selangor cannot be satisfied with merely being a developed state in terms of numbers. We need to advance our systems, work culture, and integrity. RSTU is our shared platform to make our government machinery more prepared, agile, and trustworthy,' he said at the state-level Fly the Jalur Gemilang campaign launch held at Dewan Jubli Auditorium in the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah building, Shah Alam. The implementation of RSTU will concentrate on eight strategic focus areas. These include: Communication Strategy: Enhancing quality delivery and establishing one-stop government service centres to streamline business operations. Governance and Integrity: Strengthening corruption risk management. Strategic Coordination: Encouraging proactive collaboration between departments and agencies to overcome siloed work structures. Complaint Management Reform: Creating a responsive system that provides public feedback within 24 hours. Critical Thinking Empowerment: Enhancing the capacity of the public service team and reducing dependency on external consultants. Local Administrative Leadership: Empowering leaders from village chiefs to council members to act as responsible service delivery agents. Programme Effectiveness Monitoring: Developing the Selangor Government Delivery Index for assessing state programme effectiveness. Output-Based Implementation: Focusing on outcome-driven methods for all state policies and programmes. At the event, coinciding with the monthly civil servants' meeting, Amirudin launched the Fly the Jalur Gemilang campaign. He said the campaign aligns with the Merdeka and Malaysia Day celebrations, promoting patriotism and unity among Malaysians during the national month leading up to Malaysia Day.
The Sun
23-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia saves RM873.5 million annually with 97 bureaucratic reforms
PUTRAJAYA: The MADANI government's push to reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies has achieved significant results, with 97 Bureaucratic Reform Projects (RKB) under the Public Service Reform Agenda (ARPA) saving RM873.5 million annually in compliance costs. The Special Taskforce on Agency Reform (STAR) confirmed the savings following its latest meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. The reforms have streamlined processes for businesses and the public while enhancing national productivity. Four ministries received recognition for high-impact projects. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) digitised aid approvals, the Ministry of Works (KKR) reduced tender evaluations from 35 to 18 days (saving RM1.1 million yearly), and the Ministry of National Unity (KPN) slashed Rukun Tetangga application processing from 90 to 30 days. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) shortened vehicle approval times in Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan from five days to one, saving RM160,000 annually and boosting local tourism. STAR also discussed strategic initiatives, including curbing livestock smuggling at the Malaysia–Thailand border and drafting a new Cooperative Act. Updates were shared on the ILTIZAM Government Service Efficiency Act and the Public Service Performance Index. Shamsul Azri praised Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's recent public-friendly announcements, including RM100 cash aid, reduced RON95 prices for subsidy recipients, and an extra Malaysia Day holiday. He urged ministries to ensure swift implementation for maximum public benefit. – Bernama
New Straits Times
21-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Leaping ahead to lead with conviction
Malaysia's remarkable 11-spot jump in the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking (WCR) —from 34th position in 2024 to 23rd in 2025—is more than just a statistical victory. It is a powerful testament to the effective implementation of the MADANI Government's economic reforms, including fiscal, industrial and social. For context, the WCR assesses the ability of economies to foster an environment that supports business competitiveness, productivity and economic growth, across four main categories: economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency and infrastructure. Malaysia's marked improvement in three out of four areas, especially the leap to fourth among 69 economies in economic performance, is no small feat. MITI is especially pleased that our industrial reforms implemented under the New Industrial Masterplan 2030 have contributed to the jump in the rankings in terms of sub-factors such as domestic economy (+20); international trade (+11); international investment (+2); employment (+8); institutional framework (+11); business legislation (+4); productivity and efficiency (+19) and the labour market (+11). While there is still much room for improvement, this dramatic increase in the rankings is a strong validation that Malaysia's economy is on the right track and we are steadily regaining our competitive edge on the global stage. This surge in competitiveness is not accidental. It is the result of intentional, coordinated, and at times, politically difficult reforms. It reflects a responsible governance approach under Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's Madani Economy framework, and the deft execution by the relevant economic ministries and agencies including MITI, which has led the implementation of Malaysia's revamped trade, investment, and industrial strategies. MITI's agency, the MPC, has led the coordination work on improving the WCR sub-factors across various ministries and agencies. At the heart of this leap is a more aggressive posture on bureaucratic reform and investment facilitation. MITI's leadership of the National Competitiveness Council (JKDSN) together with the Finance Ministry has driven whole-of-government efforts to streamline investment approvals, reduce regulatory burdens, ease investors' journey and modernise economic policy frameworks. Moreover, the establishment of the Special Taskforce on Agency Reform (STAR) led by Chief Secretary to the Government (KSN) — part of the wider Public Service Reform Agenda (2024-2030) and involving over 1,000 reform initiatives at federal and state levels — has helped dismantle bottlenecks that previously discouraged investors. The improvement in the international trade sub-factor—rising 11 spots to 6th globally—is also clear evidence of targeted policy outcomes under MITI's purview. This includes enhanced investment strategies by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), and improved trade promotion by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE). Our efforts in advancing regional agreements and accelerating participation in digital economy frameworks have also contributed to improvement in the rankings. Concurrently, in a world marked by rising protectionism, geopolitical realignments and economic fragmentation, Malaysia's steady hand in policy continuity is increasingly appreciated by global investors. This competitiveness boost is also a strong endorsement of the NIMP 2030 along with its supporting policies such as the National Semiconductor Strategy and Green Investment Strategy – all of which prioritise high-value industries such as semiconductors, green technology, and digital economy as future growth pillars. Their implementation has already created stronger linkages between industrial policy and talent development, innovation incentives and sustainability goals. Rankings, of course, are not policy goals in themselves—but they do matter. They serve as confidence benchmarks to global markets, foreign investors, and multilateral institutions. A leap of 11 positions makes Malaysia more attractive as a business destination, especially for multinationals seeking resilient and progressive emerging markets in Asia. It also reflects how our institutions – empowered with the political will, mandate and right leadership – are perfectly capable of executing coherent reform agendas for the nation. The Road Ahead: Maintain the Momentum This milestone is cause for celebration, but not for complacency. If anything, the real work begins now. While economic performance and trade efficiency have improved, there remain areas where Malaysia still lags—particularly in innovation capability, workforce productivity, digital transformation, management practices and workforce attitudes. There may be a need to complement structural reforms with human capital upgrades and culture shifts. Global digital and green transitions will require Malaysia to not only adopt new technologies but also to nurture a new generation of skilled, future-ready workers. Here, too, MITI's role will be pivotal. The Ministry will continue working closely with education and human resource agencies to ensure that industrial strategies are matched by robust talent development and pipelines. Initiatives like Academy in Industry programme by MPC, K-Youth under Khazanah Nasional, and upskilling programmes under HRD Corp, must be scaled and better integrated into the national competitiveness agenda. To sustain and further elevate Malaysia's position, it is worthwhile to draw inspiration from international best practices. For instance, Denmark's emphasis on workforce adaptability and lifelong learning ensures that its economy remains resilient and responsive to technological shifts. Meanwhile, South Korea's aggressive investments in R&D and innovation ecosystems have positioned it as a global leader in advanced manufacturing and semiconductors. Malaysia should consider incorporating these elements—such as agile regulatory sandboxes, performancebased innovation grants, and a national work-integrated and lifelong learning agenda—as part of its next phase of competitiveness reforms. More importantly, Malaysia must shift from a primarily input-driven model to one rooted in productivity and innovation-led growth. This means significantly boosting investments in R&D, creating stronger linkages between academia and industry, and nurturing a vibrant startup ecosystem. Malaysia should also emulate countries that rank highly in competitiveness, such as Switzerland, South Korea and Sweden, who lead in patents, intellectual property, and cutting-edge innovation globally. We can try to achieve this in strategic sectors such as advanced electronics, AI, clean energy, and biotech. Incentivising privatesector innovation, reforming procurement to favour innovative solutions, and enhancing funding mechanisms for techpreneurs will be crucial steps forward. Innovation must be made the 'engine' of our long-term economic resilience and prosperity. It is imperative that we maintain this trajectory. The Government has set a goal for Malaysia to be among the Top 12 most competitive economies by 2033. This is ambitious, but now, demonstrably achievable. It must be stressed that improved economic competitiveness means increased chances of attracting high impact investments which will create more job opportunities with higher wages. This latest ranking shows that Malaysia is not just playing catch-up, but also clearly positioning itself to lead especially in today's complex geoeconomic landscape. Our message to the world has been clear and consistent: Malaysia is serious about economic reforms, open for business and ready for the challenges ahead. Ultimately, Malaysia's improved competitiveness is a function of political will and determined leadership. It shows what can be achieved when a government dares to reform and focus on making tough but necessary decisions for Malaysia's future prosperity.
Borneo Post
20-06-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Leaping ahead to continue leading with conviction
Incentivising private sector innovation, reforming procurement to favour innovative solutions, and enhancing funding mechanisms for techpreneurs will be crucial steps forward for Malaysia, says Tengku Zafrul. MALAYSIA'S remarkable 11-spot jump in the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking (WCR) – from 34th position in 2024 to 23rd in 2025 – is more than just a statistical victory. It is a powerful testament to the effective implementation of the Madani Government's economic reforms – including fiscal, industrial and social. For context, the WCR assesses the ability of economies to foster an environment that supports business competitiveness, productivity and economic growth, across four main categories: economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency, and infrastructure. Malaysia's marked improvement in three out of four areas, especially the leap to fourth among 69 economies in economic performance, is no small feat. The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) is especially pleased that our industrial reforms implemented under the New Industrial Masterplan 2030 have contributed to the jump in the rankings in terms of sub-factors such as domestic economy (+20); international trade (+11); international investment (+2); employment (+8); institutional framework (+11); business legislation (+4); productivity and efficiency (+19), and the labour market (+11). While there is still much room for improvement, this dramatic increase in the rankings is a strong validation that Malaysia's economy is on the right track and we are steadily regaining our competitive edge on the global stage. Reform engine: MITI's coordinating role This surge in competitiveness is not accidental. It is the result of intentional, coordinated, and at times, politically difficult reforms. It reflects a responsible governance approach under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's Madani Economy Framework, and the deft execution by the relevant economic ministries and agencies including MITI, which has led the implementation of Malaysia's revamped trade, investment, and industrial strategies. MITI's agency, the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC), has led the coordination work on improving the WCR sub-factors across various ministries and agencies. At the heart of this leap is a more aggressive posture on bureaucratic reform and investment facilitation. MITI's leadership of the National Competitiveness Council (JKDSN), together with the Ministry of Finance, has driven whole-of-government efforts to streamline investment approvals, reduce regulatory burdens, ease investors' journey and modernise economic policy frameworks. Moreover, the establishment of the Special Taskforce on Agency Reform (STAR) led by Chief Secretary to the Government (KSN) – part of the wider Public Service Reform Agenda (2024-2030) and involving over 1,000 reform initiatives at federal and state levels – has helped dismantle bottlenecks that previously discouraged investors. The improvement in the international trade sub-factor – rising 11 spots to 6th globally – is also clear evidence of targeted policy outcomes under MITI's purview. This includes enhanced investment strategies by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), and improved trade promotion by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade). Our efforts in advancing regional agreements and accelerating participation in digital economy frameworks have also contributed to improvement in the rankings. Concurrently, in a world marked by rising protectionism, geopolitical realignments, and economic fragmentation, Malaysia's steady hand in policy continuity is increasingly appreciated by global investors. This competitiveness boost is also a strong endorsement of the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030 along with its supporting policies such as the National Semiconductor Strategy and Green Investment Strategy – all of which prioritise high-value industries such as semiconductors, green technology, and digital economy as future growth pillars. Their implementation has already created stronger linkages between industrial policy and talent development, innovation incentives and sustainability goals. Rankings, of course, are not policy goals in themselves, but they do matter. They serve as confidence benchmarks to global markets, foreign investors, and multilateral institutions. A leap of 11 positions makes Malaysia more attractive as a business destination, especially for multinationals seeking resilient and progressive emerging markets in Asia. It also reflects how our institutions – empowered with the political will, mandate and right leadership – are perfectly capable of executing coherent reform agendas for the nation. The road ahead: Maintain the momentum This milestone is cause for celebration, but not for complacency. If anything, the real work begins now. While economic performance and trade efficiency have improved, there remain areas where Malaysia still lags – particularly in innovation capability, workforce productivity, digital transformation, management practices and workforce attitudes. There may be a need to complement structural reforms with human capital upgrades and culture shifts. Global digital and green transitions will require Malaysia to not only adopt new technologies but also to nurture a new generation of skilled, future-ready workers. Here, too, MITI's role will be pivotal. The ministry will continue working closely with education and human resource agencies to ensure that industrial strategies are matched by robust talent development and pipelines. Initiatives like 'Academy in Industry' programme by MPC, K-Youth under Khazanah Nasional, and upskilling programmes under HRD Corp, must be scaled and better integrated into the national competitiveness agenda. To sustain and further elevate Malaysia's position, it is worthwhile to draw inspiration from international best practices. For instance, Denmark's emphasis on workforce adaptability and lifelong learning ensures that its economy remains resilient and responsive to technological shifts. Meanwhile, South Korea's aggressive investments in research and development (R&D) and innovation ecosystems have positioned it as a global leader in advanced manufacturing and semiconductors. Malaysia should consider incorporating these elements such as agile regulatory sandboxes, performance based innovation grants, and a national work-integrated and lifelong learning agenda, as part of its next phase of competitiveness reforms. More importantly, Malaysia must shift from a primarily input-driven model to one rooted in productivity and innovation-led growth. This means significantly boosting investments in R&D, creating stronger linkages between academia and industry, and nurturing a vibrant startup ecosystem. Malaysia should also emulate countries that rank highly in competitiveness, such as Switzerland, South Korea, and Sweden, who lead in patents, intellectual property, and cutting-edge innovation globally. We can try to achieve this in strategic sectors such as advanced electronics, artificial intelligence (AI), clean energy, and biotechnology. Incentivising private sector innovation, reforming procurement to favour innovative solutions, and enhancing funding mechanisms for techpreneurs will be crucial steps forward. Innovation must be made the 'engine' of our long-term economic resilience and prosperity. It is imperative that we maintain this trajectory. The government has set a goal for Malaysia to be among the 'Top 12 Most Competitive Economies' by 2033. This is ambitious, but now, demonstrably achievable. It must be stressed that improved economic competitiveness means increased chances of attracting high impact investments which will create more job opportunities with higher wages. This latest ranking shows that Malaysia is not just playing catch-up, but also clearly positioning itself to lead especially in today's complex geo-economic landscape. Our message to the world has been clear and consistent: Malaysia is serious about economic reforms, open for business and ready for the challenges ahead. Ultimately, Malaysia's improved competitiveness is a function of political will and determined leadership. It shows what can be achieved when a government dares to reform and focus on making tough but necessary decisions for Malaysia's future prosperity. * Tengku Zafrul is Malaysia's Investment, Trade and Industry Minister. IMD World Competitiveness Ranking Miti Tengku Zafrul
The Sun
17-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia leaps 11 spots to 23rd in global competitiveness – best position in five years
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has climbed 11 positions in the 2025 World Competitiveness Ranking (WCR) list, securing 23rd spot out of 69 economies – its highest placement since 2020. The WCR, released each year by the Institute for Management Development in Switzerland, evaluates countries based on their ability to foster a supportive business environment and drive sustainable economic growth. Malaysia's advancement from 34th place last year highlights the country's robust economic recovery and ongoing reform initiatives, as noted by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti). This progress supports Malaysia's goal of joining the world's top 12 most competitive economies by 2033, as set out in the Madani Economic Framework. 'This achievement is a clear indication that the Madani government's reform efforts are bearing fruit,' Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said in response to the WCR report. According to the WCR, Malaysia's enhanced global competitiveness is driven by strong economic performance, improved government efficiency, and more effective business operations. The country now ranks fourth globally in economic performance – up four spots from last year – while government and business efficiency factors each improved by eight positions. International trade has also seen significant progress, climbing 11 places to rank sixth, thanks to robust export growth, diversified markets and increased tourism receipts, which together have strengthened Malaysia's trade surplus. At the strategic level, the National Competitiveness Committee, co-chaired by finance minister II, coordinates efforts across ministries to boost competitiveness. At the same time, the Special Taskforce on Agency Reform, led by the chief secretary to the government, ensures the effective implementation of over 1,000 projects under the Public Service Reform Agenda. Further, Miti emphasises that these bureaucracy-related reforms are closely linked to facilitating strong investment and industrial growth, both of which are essential for making Malaysia a more attractive investment destination. The whole-of-government approach under the Madani Framework demonstrates its commitment to comprehensive structural reforms. With an ongoing commitment from federal and state governments and close collaboration with the private sector, Malaysia is well-positioned to achieve its goal of becoming one of the world's 12 most competitive economies by 2033, Miti said.
