January 28, 2010
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 28 (Bernama) — A reward and punishment model should be introduced this year to allow for the smooth implementation of the Government Transformation Programme (GTP), especially among the civil service, says Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam.

A former civil servant, Ramon, who is Chairman of the Centre for Public Policy said the reward and punishment system, is a key to the success of the GTP.

“This transformation will succeed or fail depending not only on the leadership and its commitment, but more importantly, the capacity of the civil service to deliver.

“If the civil service is not transformed, no transformation policy is going to work,” he said on the sidelines of the launch of the GTP Roadmap here Thursday.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today launched the GTP Roadmap, which outlines six National Key Result Areas (NKRAs), namely crime, corruption, education, low income households, rural basic infrastructure and urban public transport.

Ramon said the government should also consider adopting the private sector’s hiring and firing system, as part of the “carrot and stick” model in this GTP transformation.

On Tuesday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the government was seriously looking at introducing the rewards and punishment model, to ensure better implementation of the GTP.

When asked what would be the impact of the GTP on the business community, Ramon said a reduction in corruption, can further increase efficiency.

“If it is efficient and follows the proper system, then there will be no corruption. Corruption can result in an increase in cost and decreases the profitability of business,” he said.

He said the government should enforce greater transparency in terms of its procurement announcements, as this would help in reducing such activities.

Earlier, Najib said the government would be more transparent in terms of revealing contracts, contractors and value of contracts on its website, with regards to procurements.

(Source: Bernama)