Former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin has endorsed the idea of a Malaysian equivalent of the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to enhance the efficiency of the civil service. However, he emphasized that this modernization should focus on retraining and redeployment rather than cutting jobs.
Speaking on the inaugural episode of his Kena Soal podcast with former Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan, Khairy argued that an independent department, preferably led by an experienced private sector professional, could oversee the restructuring process. He stressed that such reforms must be well-planned and gradual, spanning five to 15 years, to ensure the civil service adapts effectively to automation and evolving national needs.
“I would not sack a single civil servant. But we must redeploy them to tasks that are needed for the next five to 10 years. Automation is inevitable and retraining must start now,” he said. “But we must ensure that they are reassigned to roles that will be essential in the next five to ten years. Automation is inevitable, and retraining must begin immediately.”
Khairy suggested that certain administrative functions could be phased out over time if they become redundant. For instance, if a department is projected to require only 20 employees in five years, necessary steps should be taken now to transition the excess workforce to other roles. He stressed that this transformation must be handled carefully to avoid political backlash, noting that discussions about optimizing civil service numbers often come at a high political cost.
Despite these challenges, Khairy expressed confidence that the public services department (JPA) could oversee the transition smoothly. He proposed that civil servants in roles that become obsolete be discreetly reassigned to areas where they are needed, ensuring a more streamlined and effective government workforce.
Meanwhile, Shahril highlighted the importance of updating civil service regulations to reflect automation trends. He urged policymakers to prioritize efficiency over political considerations, arguing that without modernization, Malaysia’s civil service risks becoming outdated and inefficient.
Khairy’s proposal aims to future-proof the nation’s civil service while maintaining job security, striking a balance between efficiency and the well-being of government employees.
Information Source: FMT
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