Shamsul speaks during the Sarawak Civil Service Day 2025 celebration in Kuching today. – Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING (Nov 20): Malaysia is targeting at least 15th place in Asia in global public administration rankings, equivalent to South Korea, said Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
According to the Blavatnik Index of Public Administration 2024 from the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, Malaysia is currently ranked 40th out of 120 countries.
“This ranking shows that Malaysia’s public service has strengths in workforce management, administrative processes, and public governance, but there is still room to improve,” he said during the Sarawak Civil Service Day (HPA) 2025 celebration at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) today.
“The top position in Asia is held by Singapore, followed by South Korea at 15th. When the Prime Minister asked me, ‘What do you have in mind?’ I replied, ‘I will bring Malaysia to 15th place, on par with South Korea, InsyaAllah,” he added.
Shamsul highlighted the role of public service reform in achieving this goal.
“The Public Service Reform Agenda (Arpa), launched on Sept 10, 2024, has registered 1,007 projects, with 141 completed, generating RM1.4 billion in regulatory cost savings and improving citizen service delivery.
“The reform agenda focuses on five key areas: instilling values and governance, human capital development, organisational development, service quality enhancement, and public-private cooperation.
“Key initiatives include reducing bureaucratic red tape through technology such as artificial intelligence and implementing new legislation like the Akta Iltizam.”
He also highlighted Sarawak’s progress under the state government, noting strengthened digital transformation, competent local leadership, and initiatives such as Sarawak Pass, S Pay Global, and the 3R approach — ‘Revisit, Rethink, Recharge’ — which have accelerated digital services while improving transparency and efficiency.
Shamsul cited Malaysia’s rise in the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) World Competitiveness Ranking, climbing from 34th in 2024 to 23rd in 2025 among 69 economies — the country’s best performance since 2020.
Emphasising the importance of federal-state cooperation, he referenced the Kuala Lumpur Declaration signed on Nov 24, 2024, committing government agencies to strengthen governance, integrity, citizen-focused services, project management alignment, human resource restructuring, and digitalisation.
“Sarawak’s adoption of the declaration’s action plan reflects the state’s commitment to tangible reform.”
He also mentioned upcoming investments under 13th Malaysia Plan, with Sarawak set to receive RM6.02 billion in 2026 for key projects, including roads, health clinics, flood mitigation, paddy industry development, and hospital equipment procurement.
Shamsul concluded by stressing integrity and dedication among civil servants.
“In today’s dynamic and uncertain world, no one is exempt from executing responsibilities with integrity. There is no room for complacency because the public always expects more from us,” he said.
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