The Malaysian government is set to channel an additional RM56 million to 28 ministries, aiming to enhance civil servant competencies in seven priority areas. Public Service Department (JPA) Director-General Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz announced the allocation, emphasizing its alignment with the Madani Government’s objectives, as highlighted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the 19th Civil Service Premier Message Gathering (MAPPA-19) last year.
The seven focus areas include artificial intelligence, digital transformation, cybersecurity, energy transition, food security and technology, national boundary management, and disaster management. These fields reflect the government’s vision of equipping civil servants with skills to meet contemporary challenges.
Each ministry will have the flexibility to identify officers requiring training in areas relevant to their specialization. Wan Ahmad Dahlan explained, “JPA channels (the allocation) to the 28 ministries because they know better the areas required in their respective ministries based on the seven new focus areas. Proposals must be submitted to JPA for evaluation to ensure they align with the intended goals.” For instance, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security will emphasize food technology, while the National Disaster Management Agency will focus on disaster preparedness.
One of the government’s key goals is to minimize reliance on foreign consultants by ensuring civil servants are equally skilled. This approach is expected to reduce national expenditure while boosting local expertise.
Since last year, JPA has initiated training through its Government Expertise and Consultant Development Programme (PRESTIJ), previously known as the Accelerated Course for Competency Excellence (ACE). A total of 88 officers have undergone six-month training in countries like the UK, Australia, India, and China. Upon returning, these officers share their knowledge, fostering a ripple effect across ministries.
In 2025, JPA plans to expand the programme to include 140 slots, with enhancements such as hybrid training to accommodate more participants. Additionally, 15 sponsorship programmes under In-Service Training (LDP) will continue to focus on critical areas, with support from the National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN), which offers courses in the seven priority fields.
In 2024 alone, 41 training courses addressing these focus areas were conducted, benefiting over 112,000 participants. Moving forward, the government aims to ensure continuity and shared understanding between implementation teams and management, further strengthening Malaysia’s public service.
Information Source: Malay Mail
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