PM: Reward system for public servants being considered

The Government is considering a reward system to encourage high performance in the public administration, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.

The Prime Minister said the system would be vastly different from the “vertical and horizontal” system (Competency Level Assessment) which he believed “is not working”.

“I believe we must reward good performance and I know that the present system is not working because there is some sort of ‘agreement’ being formed,” he told the Prime Minister’s Department staff at its monthly gathering on Monday.

“If this is my turn (to be rewarded for good service) this year, then next year will be your turn. Don’t tell me this is not happening because I know it does.”

He said high performance, be it in the private sector or among civil servants were crucial if Malaysia was to meet its target and become a successful and developed nation.

Najib added that he, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Sidek Hassan were thinking of a system that would “truly reward good performance”.

He said the system would be an effective one that would motivate civil servants to perform excellently.

The Prime Minister said the initiative to implement Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and the National Key Result Areas (NKRAs) would ultimately lead to civil servants performing well in their work, adding there should be no room for mediocrity in the government administration.

He reminded department heads not to tolerate mediocrity and should talk to staff and subordinates whose performance failed to meet the quality that had been set.

“There is no need to bang tables or throw files at them but those who do not perform must be told of their dismal performance and the need for them to improve,” he said.

Najib also said that abuse of power should also not be tolerated, adding that issues and matters pointed out in the Auditor-General’s report needed to be acted upon.

The Prime Minister on Friday had announced the setting up of a high-powered task force to scrunitise wrongdoings reported in the recently-released Auditor-General’s report, to ensure those involved in misappropriation of funds or abuse of power would not “get away with it” but face the consequences.