Civil Service Urged To Back Leadership Elevating Malaysia's Global Standing

By Mohd Khairi Idham Amran

KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 (Bernama) -- Public service machinery need to consistently support the efforts made by the country's leadership to place Malaysia in the best position within the global geopolitical and economic landscape.

Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said the diplomatic approach taken by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in his recent working visits to Russia and Turkmenistan has successfully placed the country in a strategic position, particularly in exploring new markets and strengthening relationships with existing trading partners.

"As the backbone of the nation, the civil service views the success of these working visits not just as an achievement for foreign policy, but as a critical mandate that must be converted into immediate action at home," he told Bernama today.

He said the leadership's global vision must be matched by the efficiency of government officials, especially in ministries regulating economy and trade, with a high level of preparedness.

“They must act with agility, continuously build capacity, and establish strategic cooperation networks that go beyond conventional boundaries to understand the shifts in the new world economic order so that the country is not left behind,” he said.

Shamsul Azri also reminded all public service personnel, particularly heads of departments and senior officials, to emulate and adapt the values of MADANI Diplomacy and the 'Whole-of-Government' approach in their daily governance.

He said that full focus is now being directed toward enhancing the Ease of Doing Business initiatives, while also serving as an excellent investment facilitator to ensure that every international agreement is realized immediately.

"Public servants must possess a global mindset and the capability to act as international-class strategic partners. This ensures that every investment opportunity brought in through MADANI Diplomacy can be effectively translated into tangible benefits for the people," he said.

"This is the very spirit outlined through the 'internationalisation' enabler under the Public Service Reform Agenda (ARPA), which builds a high-capacity public service that supports the nation's development agenda," he said.

He emphasised that the primary task of the public service now is to ensure that all economic avenues, investment potentials, and strategic understandings that have been pioneered can be swiftly translated into an abundance of domestic prosperity.

“This includes the creation of high-income job opportunities for locals, ensuring the security of commodity supplies, and ensuring that Malaysia remains competitive as a global investment destination,” he added.

-- BERNAMA