RKB INITIATIVE ON RIGHT TRACK TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SERVICE EFFICIENCY

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 (Bernama) -- The MADANI Government is now on the right track in its efforts to comprehensively reform the public service, especially with the introduction of the Bureaucratic Red Tape Reform (RKB) and Regulatory Experiment (UKS) circulars.

These two key documents, which are vital for the success of the RKB initiative, provide complete guidelines to reduce bureaucratic hurdles in public services while ensuring clearer, faster, more efficient, and effective regulatory governance.

This effort is also in line with the government's aspiration to achieve high-performance public services as outlined in the Public Service Reform Agenda 2024-2030.

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According to Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) Director-General Zahid Ismail, the circulars, developed jointly with the Special Task Force for Agency Reform (STAR), provide clear guidance on the implementation of the RKB initiative as well as the UKS process.

He said that the RKB aims to reduce the burden of unnecessary regulations at the ministry and agency levels, which impact business growth, the economy, and the public, while also enhancing service efficiency.

"This will ensure that every improvement initiative is managed systematically and achieves its targeted objectives.

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"As the leading agency for the RKB initiative, MPC acts as a guide to ministries and other agencies in implementing the RKB towards enhancing efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency in their services," he told Bernama recently.

The RKB and UKS circulars were launched by the Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar during the 2024 National Public Service Reform Convention on Nov 24.

Meanwhile, Zahid said that MPC has implemented 200 RKB projects as of this year, with notable successes including the Kulai Fast Lane (KFL) Project, the SMARTGPB System, and Xpats Gateway, and for the upcoming year, MPC targets the implementation of 500 new RKB projects.

He said that the investor-friendly KFL project will reduce the project development timeline from 24 to 36 months to just 14 months, successfully attracting investments amounting to RM40.70 billion and creating 7,000 job opportunities in Kulai, Johor.

"Through the SMARTGPB, which digitalises the customs clearance process at Licensed Manufacturing Warehouses (GPB), 80 per cent of applications are approved automatically within one minute, compared to the manual approval process that takes between three to seven days. This step saves RM200 million annually for GPB companies.

"Xpats Gateway, on the other hand, transforms the expatriate approval process by integrating 25 regulatory agencies into a single platform, streamlining approvals. This has reduced the approval time from six months to five days for express-lane processing and 15 days for standard processing," he said.

In line with the technological boom, Zahid stated that MPC is also working to expand the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in ministries and government agencies to accelerate in-depth data analysis, enhance efficient brainstorming sessions, and facilitate the development of effective strategic action plans.

He explained that these efforts help make decisions faster and more accurately based on data, enabling immediate responses to meet the needs of the public and businesses, while also reducing reliance on manual processes.

"The use of AI also helps reduce dependence on manual processes, which not only minimises the risk of human error but also saves time and operational costs," he added.

Meanwhile, the Chief Digital Officer of the International Islamic University of Malaysia, Prof Datuk Dr Norbik Bashah Idris said that the implementation of the MyDigital ID application by the government could also reduce bureaucracy while ensuring that all public sector services are delivered more transparently and efficiently.

"With digital identity verification, administrative processes can be expedited, thus reducing the need for physical documents and manual procedures, ultimately decreasing bureaucracy in the long term," he said.

The professor said that the application, which has reached a million registered users, is being integrated with applications such as MyJPJ, allowing users to access government services more easily and securely.

"Overall, the MyDigital ID application plays a crucial role in strengthening Malaysia's digital landscape, ensuring the security of users' personal data, facilitating access to online services, and positively contributing to the government's digitalization agenda," he added.

-- BERNAMA