GTP

Dear Residents,

On the invitation of PEMANDU to our RA, Peggy and myself attended the Government Transformation Program (GTP) in Sunway Convention Centre, this morning.

The program covered some six key areas which needed the attention of the government namely:

1. Reducing Crime
2. Fighting Corruption
3. Raising Living Standards (low income households)
4. Improving Infrsatructure - rural and urban transportation

We had the privilege to meet with Dato' Sri Idris Jala, who is also the CEO and Deputy Chairman of PEMANDU along with his charming wife. He briefed us on the progress they have made in a very short time and have set up ambitious targets to resolve all the issues which they have identified which are major concerns of all Malaysians. We spoke extensively on the issue of rising crime and how our G&G has managed to prevent such incidences in our area but have not really resolved the problem overall so we merely shifted it to other areas.

I told Dato' Sri that we still need to look at the bigger picture and he assured me the relevant agencies are looking into this issue, which happens to be right on top of the priority list of all the issues identified. I also asked him about the government's stand on G&G to which he then introduced me to the person in charge, DSP Nawawi from KDN at the Crime Reduction booth.

DSP Nawawi and his team then briefed us further on steps they have taken as well as took notes from us and our issues and concerns. They also told us that the government is now looking into drawing up new guidelines related to G&G so that it can be implemented without having to face legal issues, etc later, much like what we are experiencing now. That is important as the proliferation of G&G may lead to other issues later.

We then listened to the opening speech by Dato' Sri Jala, who had presented the NKRAs or National Key Results Area. He promised to work tirelessly with his team and the civil service to meet those targets and to be transparent and publish the results even if there are shortfalls. This extensive planning with clear and concise key targets in such a wide area has never ever been attempted before anywhere in the world and if works, will spur Malaysia into a new era.

This, to me, is very refreshing indeed as there are more elements of such private corporation management styles and measures that are being incorporated into the government civil service. Of course, this all probably came very much from his corporate background in Shell and MAS. Hopefully, the civil service will continue to improve based on specific goals, targets and measurements that will benefit all of the rakyat.

He admitted there were mistakes and dark episodes in the past made by the government but he was given the opportunity to shape and bring Malaysia back together again, a job he reluctantly accepted. He had mentioned that before, the door to resolve such issues was 'closed' but now he sees the door 'opened' under the full support of the Prime Minister. He told all in the audience to seize the moment and get the country back on track towards 2020 again to which there were loud applause.

At the end of the day, whether he and his team succeeds remains to be seen as I am sure there are insurmountable challenges ahead of them including from within.



We then wandered around the other exhibition booths and on our way out of the hall, as we were about to leave, the organisers then introduced us to Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon, who is the Chairman of PEMANDU. We had a brief chat on security and other issues. He then asked us for our wesbite to which we gave him the URL. We congratulated him on the extensive plans made on the GTP but also told him that at the end of the day, execution will be very important to ensure it will not turn out to just be another government propaganda, to which he agreed.

Both Peggy and myself then left the hall, with at least some glimmer of hope in our hearts that such transformation, although looked impossible, is being seriously addressed by the government.

We wish both Dato' Sri Jala and Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon and their teams all the best. This after all, is for the the good of our beloved country.

Jeffrey Khoo
Advisor
11 Trees @ USJ