Govt To Focus On Territorial Equity In Improving Public Service Delivery - Chief Secretary

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 6 (Bernama) -- The government is set to focus on territorial equity in its public sector reform efforts to ensure that improvements in service delivery are felt beyond federal agencies and urban centres, said Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.

He said this entails empowering service delivery at the district and local levels, where the government engages directly with the people.

"By building capacity and aligning priorities at ground level, we aim to reduce regional disparities and strengthen the responsiveness of public institutions nationwide," he said in his speech during a lecture titled ‘State Capacity and Directed Growth: A Mission-Oriented Approach’ by renowned economist Prof Mariana Francesca Mazzucato, here today.

Shamsul Azri said the government's reform efforts were designed to enable 'directed growth' in the public sector.

"We are reforming to enable directed growth (to create) a public sector that can lead, not just follow," he added.

Shamsul Azri also noted that government seeks to institutionalise data-driven mechanisms to ensure efficiency and accountability at every level through the Public Service Reform Agenda (ARPA).

“ARPA will institutionalise data and ensure efficiency by embedding performance dashboards, real-time tracking system and demerit-based evaluation frameworks to ensure accountability at every level.

“These mechanisms will be completed by mission-based coordination, which is a bold step to align ministries and agencies, and a shared national objective such as the green transition, digital connectivity and social resilience," he said.

Shamsul Azri told a press conference later that several adjustments will be made to improve the Public-Private Partnership Master Plan (Pikas) 2030.

"It will be improved. Most of the elements are already in Pikas, but we need to readjust and re-coordinate some aspects,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mazzucato urged governments to shift from merely fixing market failures to actively shaping markets for equitable and sustainable growth, saying that traditional approaches are inadequate for tackling global challenges such as climate change and inequality.

She shared her insights on the importance of mission-driven policies with clear goals and cross-sector collaboration to enable the public sector to play an entrepreneurial role rather than simply de-risking private investments.

Mazzucato also called for a new public-private norms built on reciprocity, and for governments to rebuild internal capabilities and foster inclusive innovation.

The lecture was organised by National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN) and was attended by senior public officials.

-- BERNAMA