Need for coordinating body for Federal, State agencies

In a developing country like ours, we cannot afford a situation that does not move on the ground and that we remain a stagnant society with the stationary economy.  Basically, the Federal and State agencies, which have been tasked to implement the development policies and programs must work harder to transform the traditional society to become a more successful, modern and progressive society to befit our status as people of a developed nation towards the year 2020.

Essentially, the Federal and state departments or agencies must work closely together to achieve the best results for the people. Perhaps, the Federal departments or agencies may also consider appointing more representatives to monitor the implementation of rural development projects and others. Understandably, the State government is open and willing to cooperate fully with the Federal departments and agencies as a new way of development for the future.

Quite obviously the Federal and State departments are beginning to make conscientious efforts in working together in the services of the people, those in rural areas in particular, the State and country. Understandably, the Federal government does not have many channels in implementing development policies and programs in Sarawak.  However, there have been some realization at the top level of the Federal service on the importance of having proper coordination between the Federal and State departments or agencies in implementing the Federal Government’s polices and programs in the state. 

However, Education department, though a big department, finds problems to achieve its objective in improving the educational standard in the State, in the rural areas in particular. Understandably, the State Government has assured the Ministry of Education that its machinery is open for them to use for programs and activities of the department. Perhaps, the Ministry and the state authority should consider setting up a coordinating agency to bring about greater cooperation between them especially in dispensing the financial allocations for development projects in the State.  

 In this respect, the federal government can supervise any expenditure by its representatives in the state.  As a matter of policy, the state government does not connive any irresponsible spending of money being allocated to the state for development.  It has installed sufficient supervisory machinery from internal audit all the way to the public accounts committee to ensure that allocation is being spent to meet its objective.

 However, the strategy for implementing the development programs must take into consideration the prevailing conditions of Sarawak.  The history of Sarawak has forced it to develop slightly different from Peninsular Malaysia. The State cannot change overnight nor can it change the ways to run the state because it  has to be effective in recognizing the differences in situations in Sarawak and those in Peninsular Malaysia.

Besides, the State must also realize that all future development in Sarawak will be dependent increasingly on initiatives of the private sector. The development will rely more and more on market forces though they cannot be open to the full because of the scattered population. The state still has very small population as compared with those in Peninsular Malaysia.  The State has to create critical mass before it can initiate economic development to overcome the problem of the scattered population. 

The State’s success in implementing the development policies is attributable to the ability of political leaders and members of the civil service to lead the people in a big move towards the sustainable economic development of the rural areas. An area can be developed into a critical mass once it can have a population of at least 5,000 people, which can be considered as a viable size community. 

Understandably, the federal government tends to take the bigger chunk of the power than the state government but the later relates to the requirement of people on the ground.  The 3^rd category of power, as stated in the constitution, is the concurrent power, where the state government can play a role like in the administrative implementation of development projects. Such power must be given to the state primarily to ensure sure that the implementation machinery can be strengthened and functioning efficiently.  This is based on the age or wisdom in the evolution of the federation like Canada, America and Australia, just to name a few.

Efficient delivery system

 Essentially, the State must develop the delivery systems that can benefit the  people.  More importantly, the empowerment in the lower strata of the administration must be made possible as more money have to be spent in order to accelerate the pace of development for the people, state and country. In a developing country like ours, we cannot afford a situation that does not move on the ground and that we remain a stagnant society with the stationary economy. 

Basically, we must work harder to transform our traditional society to become a more successful, modern and progressive society. Understandably, capacity building forms a very important part of the state’s transformation towards the year 2020 and beyond.  For this reason, the State has to build more training institutions, set up another skill development centre and generally upgrade the standard of education in the state. The State has a plan to engage foreign consultants to study how it can generally upgrade the skills of the people in the state.  In other words, the State is leveling itself based on the manpower requirements in the preparation for SCORE, which is capable of creating 1.5 million jobs for the people by the year 2020 and beyond.   Now, the State has a workforce of one million people. It is projected that the State will have one and half times more workforce with the development of SCORE.

It will take huge number of people to transform the countryside, now grossly under-developed, to bring it to the mainstream of development.  Perhaps, the development of the central region may not be able take off without having a huge undertaking, which emphasizes on an integrated approach, like the development of SCORE. Initially, the State may have to recruit foreign workers to do some of the jobs, those in the lower ranks in particular, as being done in the Middle East and other fast developing countries.

There will be shortages not only of professionals but also skilled workers.  Therefore, the State must start to train more local people, based on rezoning to the business skills, to take over from foreigners in the future.  With that kind of picture the government must have the right aptitude in managing the workforce.  However, the State government has been realistic in the assessment of the manpower requirements of the State. 

Generally members of the civil service, regardless of whether they are Ibans, Chinese, Malays, Melanau, Bidayuh or whoever, have the tradition of working together in the services of the people, state and country.  Any Head of Department, if he is good in his work, earns the respect of the leadership of the government that upholds professionalism even in the choice of talents whether in the public or private sectors.

The process of capacity building requires members a civil service to be open minded to views including those from people, who may not view the civil service favorably.   Sometimes, it is not that easy but they have been doing it in Sarawak; that is one thing working in our favor.  Our administration is also flexible and able to recognize problems.  That is the strength of a growing administration. 

Understandably, the State government has a master plan for re-organization and expansion of the public sector.  It may engage experts or people, who have the knowledge or the track record of being able to lead in the expansion of our capability.  This is part and parcel of a global world.  The State must follow all the good things in globalization to equip ourselves to rise to the occasion.

In this respect, the State civil service must continue to be open to changes and making the necessary preparations to face the future with greater confidence. After the year 2010, the State should be able to see greater interactions between the civil service and the private sector in the common pursuit for greater progress and advancement towards the year 2020 and beyond. The common  ambition is to raise the level of development and change in the structure of the economy, through the implementation of SCORE, towards the year 2030 and beyond.

benuasains