CDO, Strategic Leader To Accelerate Public Sector Digitalisation

By Thivyamalini Ramalu

PUTRAJAYA, July 1 (Bernama) -- The role of the Chief Digital Officer (CDO) in every ministry and agency is a strategic component in accelerating public sector digitalisation, in line with the government's aspiration to deliver integrated, responsive, and people-centric services.

National Digital Department (JDN) director-general Nik Zalbiha Nik Mat said the CDO’s role today extends far beyond technical responsibilities, evolving into a leadership position that ensures digital technologies are aligned with the needs of public services and government policies.

"The role of a CDO is not purely technical. It is about leading digital strategies, assessing risks and identifying current technology needs in the context of service delivery," she told Bernama after attending the Chief Digital Officer Conference 2025 (CDO CONVEX 2025) yesterday.

The conference, themed 'Smart and Agile Digital Leaders of the New Era', was organised by JDN.

She emphasised that digital transformation remains fundamental in strengthening the government’s capacity to respond more effectively, efficiently, and relevantly to emerging challenges while capitalising on opportunities in the rapidly evolving digital economy.

Aligned with this direction, CDOs, as digital leaders, are increasingly pivotal in optimising the use of digital technologies, driving organisational transformation, enhancing operational efficiency, and creating new value in the services and products of ministries and government agencies.

Nik Zalbiha explained that the appointment of CDOs does not involve the creation of new positions. Instead, the responsibility is assigned to existing senior officers, such as the Secretary-General (KSU) or Deputy Secretary-General (TKSU), who are entrusted to take on this additional role.

 "We are not creating a new position. It is an added role for existing officers who have been mandated to drive the digital agenda of their respective ministries or agencies," she said.

When asked about the main challenges in ensuring that CDOs across ministries and agencies work together in an integrated manner, she said the importance of adopting a whole of government approach is to ensure the nation’s digitalisation agenda is implemented comprehensively and without operating in silos.

"Among the main challenges are policy coordination, integration of different information systems, as well as organisational readiness in terms of work culture and digital capacity.

"To overcome these challenges, JDN is taking proactive steps through knowledge-sharing initiatives, strengthening digital governance, enhancing strategic cooperation and developing the competencies of CDOs and ICT Managers in each ministry and agency," she said.

Regarding CDO CONVEX 2025, he said the biennial conference is an important platform to bring together various digital initiatives from the government, private and academic sectors.

“This conference brings together public sector digital leaders and industry experts to share best practices, innovations and the latest solutions in the field of technology and data management.

“Through the presentation of working papers and panel discussions, participants gain inspiration and practical knowledge to plan the digital direction of their organisations.

“Ultimately, we aim for government service delivery to become more people-friendly, fast, secure and value-driven in enhancing community well-being,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, in his opening speech, highlighted the critical responsibility entrusted to CDOs, who play a pivotal role as agents of change by ensuring technology is harnessed optimally and ethically for the benefit of the people and the nation's progress.

 He said visionary and strategic CDOs are essential to lead the digital transformation of the public sector towards more efficient, responsive and data- and technology-driven services.

“This is because the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) wave, driven by artificial intelligence (AI), big data, the Internet of Things (IoT) and automation, has drastically changed the landscape of life, the world of work and service delivery.

“These changes require the public sector to be more agile, innovative and competitive in meeting the increasing expectations of the people,” he said

-- BERNAMA