SIBU: Government officials have been reminded that their responsibilities extend beyond administrative efficiency to understanding the very laws and historical reasons for the purpose and existence of their respective agencies.
Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar cautioned that many officials tend to carry out duties without truly appreciating the legal and historical foundations of their institutions.
“It’s not enough to be an efficient administrator or a capable manager. He must understand the law that founded the agency,” he said.
“He must understand the historical event that called for the creation of the law and formation of the agency. Above all, he must grasp the spirit behind that law, the intention that breathes life into its words.”
He said this in his Statesman’s Lecture which was delivered at the University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) here today.
Wan Junaidi pointed out that although things may seem to be working well on the surface, in reality they may be missing their core objectives.
“This is why every agency is given an enabling law, be it an Act of Parliament or an Ordinance, as a spiritual and physical guide to help them implement their duties and responsibilities effectively,” he added.
Additionally, he said outdated philosophies and rules including laws must be readjusted or changed to remain in tandem with new approaches and actions in order to achieve the targets set by new policies.
In this regard, he stressed that every member of the Executive branch of government should be well-versed in relevant matters including laws that may need to be revisited, reframed or redirected in order to achieve policy objectives.
“If you are in a position of influence, whether as a minister, secretary, director or senior officer, your role is to ensure the foundation of your existence remains relevant, up-to-date and benefits the people and the State.
“The public service is not just a stable, prestigious and secure place to earn a living, or the place to create a name and glory for oneself.
“To me, it’s more than that. It’s not just a job or profession, but a stewardship, a high trust, and a great mission to realise and to deliver the promises and the trust of the leaders to the State, to the rakyat, and to the nation,” he said.
Also gracing the event was Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi.
