KUCHING: State civil servants must remain ready to adapt to the evolving public service landscape to stay relevant in meeting the ever-changing expectations of the people and stakeholders.
State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki said these changes require every civil servant to continuously improve excellence, efficiency and effectiveness in delivering public services.
“The expectations of the people and stakeholders are constantly changing. What the public expected last year or even last month is not necessarily what they will expect tomorrow.
“The way we work has also changed. Compared with 20 or 30 years ago, our working methods are very different today,” he said in his speech during the Excellent Service Awards (APC) ceremony for units under the Deputy State Secretary (Administration) in Kuching on Friday (July 24).
Abu Bakar urged the younger generation in the public service to ensure that changes in working practices do not come at the expense of delivering excellent service.
He added that generational shifts within the civil service have introduced different approaches and work cultures, requiring government organisations to remain adaptable and responsive.
Meanwhile, he stressed that officers and staff of the Sarawak Premier’s Department shoulder a significant responsibility, as every action they take and every task they perform reflects the department’s overall performance.
As such, he said the Sarawak Premier’s Department must set the benchmark for other government departments and agencies, particularly in delivering quality public services.
“Whatever we do and whatever we achieve reflects the performance of the Sarawak Premier’s Department.
“That is why I hope all of us, as members of the department, will continue to set a good example for other agencies and departments,” he said.
During the ceremony, a total of 152 recipients received the Excellent Service Award for 2024 and 2025.
Abu Bakar said that recipients were presented with Premium Savings Certificates instead of cash awards to encourage a culture of saving among civil servants.
He said the initiative not only recognises outstanding performance but also promotes better financial management practices within the public service.
