Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim believes that if civil servants can perform their duties efficiently and quickly, the country’s economic landscape and pattern will develop in a more ideal direction.
Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister emphasised at the Ministry of Finance’s monthly meeting this morning that if all civil servants practice this approach in their daily work, Malaysia will become the focus of world investment.
“Everyone, focus on this… Our economic landscape and economic pattern will change, I have no doubt about it. Civil servants must focus on this, and the rest (political issues) will be left to me and my partners. Everyone must focus, because Malaysia now has the ability to not only be favored internationally, but also to gain in investment.”
He gave an example that the 2024 Asian Defense Exhibition (DSA) and Asian National Security Exhibition (NATSEC) successfully attracted more than 1,000 participants from more than 60 countries to participate in the event, which shows the confidence of foreign countries in Malaysia.
“If it is hosted by developing countries such as Malaysia, this situation is not common.”
Speaking of civil servants who do not perform their daily duties seriously, Anwar said that this group will be dealt with severely.
“So I sometimes deal harshly with a small group of civil servants who have seriously deviated from the spirit (of diligence), and I often call on society and the media to act fairly… not to reflect the discipline and spirit of the (overall) civil service with the attitude and misconduct of this small group of people.”
He mentioned that in addition to DSA and NATSEC 2024, the country also received investments from Microsoft, Amazon Web Services and ACWA Power.
“…For example, we see when Microsoft will start… this year. Amazon, this year. When will ACWA come… within two weeks.”
Anwar pointed out that the performance of foreign investment will increase national revenue, which is one of the considerations for civil servants’ salary increase decisions.
“Some people say that this is not a rational economic policy. How can you spend more on civil servants and then want to reduce debt? I think this is how we manage the economy. The expertise is here. You are smart people. I am just a spokesperson.”
