Kota Kinabalu: State civil servants are reminded to be professional when carrying out their responsibilities to vote in the 15th General Election (GE15) on Nov. 19, especially to refrain from involving in any political activity or wear political party symbols. State Secretary Datuk Seri Sr Safar Untong said the values and ethics as stated in the Public Service Regulations 2008 must be followed.
“I would like to quote part of Rule 225 (1), Public Service Regulations 2008 which states, ‘Except as provided in sub-regulation (3), a public officer is prohibited from actively participating or carrying out any political activity or wearing any political party symbol’.
“For those assigned as election officers and workers, I hope you all can perform the duties and responsibilities given to you well,” he said when officiating the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) answers preparation seminar.
In addition, Safar requested that the Digital Government Division of the State Public Service Department to look at and study the proposal to transform the DUN document management process in all ministries digitally.
He said this reform is important considering that almost the entire state assembly document management process in all ministries is still carried out manually.
“This will not only simplify the process but will also be a storage centre for data related to questions and answers from previous sittings.
“This is also in line with the digitisation initiative towards Smart Government by the State Government within five years from 2020,” he said.
The seminar, held for the first time, aimed to provide exposure and understanding of the process, management issues and methods of answering assembly questions in accordance with the assembly’s Standing Rules.
Some 219 people comprising permanent secretaries, heads of departments, divisional directors, as well as state civil service officers participated in the seminar jointly organised by the Capacity Development Division, JPAN and the Cabinet and Policy Division, Chief Minister’s Department.
Also present were Speaker Datuk Seri Kadzim M Yahya, Sabah Attorney-General Datuk Nor Asiah Mohd Yusof, Deputy State Secretary (Administration) Datuk Hajah Diyanah Abdullah, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Datuk Sr Lee Chun Khiong, JPAN Deputy Director General (Development) Josie Lai, representing its Director-General, Cabinet and Policy Division Director Datuk Ridhwan Roger Linus, Capacity Development Division Director and co-organising chairman Charles William Dabbi and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) Sabah Branch Deputy Director II Jennitah Noordin.
* Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss.
* Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.