| Rokiah Mahmud |

THE Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) will continue to practise prudent budget spending for the upcoming 2019/2020 financial year with further budget cuts across some of its major department and agencies, compared to previous fiscals.

On the third day of the Legislative Council (LegCo) meeting yesterday, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abdul Mokti bin Haji Mohd Daud said that the PMO has agreed to a proposed budget allocation totalling BND394,758,270 for staff salaries and recurring expenditure.

This is a reduction of BND142,692,720 compared to last year’s budget allocation, taking into account the absorption of the Department of Energy and Industry and the Department of Electrical Services to the Ministry of Energy, Manpower and Industry, as well as the absorption of Department of Economic Planning and Development into the Ministry of Finance and Economy.

Meanwhile, BND30,973,130 was apportioned for development expenditure, thereby making the total budget for the PMO and all its departments BND425,731,400.

Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abdul Mokti also elaborated on the four principles in the drafting of the PMO budget.

“Firstly, investment in ensuring the excellence of Public Service, where Leadership Excellence will always be the main focus. Several initiatives are already being implemented, such as the Key Performance Indicators (KPI) in Service Delivery for the specific advancement of organisational activities, while also making an impact for enhanced productivity at an individual level.

“Initiatives to fill vacancies at all levels have been carried out with the cooperation of government ministries and departments. Leadership and capacity development programmes are continuously being carried out, such as the Executive Development Programme for Senior Government Officers, the Executive Development Programme for Middle Management Officers and the Young Executive Programme.

“These programmes are formed, created and designed with means to further realise the public service and will undergo assessment for effectiveness from time to time. In addition to expanding the talent pool, they are also aimed at equipping civil service officers with a competency that requires the holding of office at the upper level. In the meantime, an Ethical Culture, Excellent Work, Productivity Improvement and Integrity Strength will always be applied.

“Secondly, the principle also ensures the continual review and improvement of policies and regulations, particularly those which support the efforts to intensify the private sector.

“Our country’s ranking in the World Bank’s report on commerce or Ease of Doing Business (EOB) will be given due attention, whereby the PMO will continue to conduct improvements in the two areas of Enforcing Contracts and Resolving Insolvency.

“In order to make the Public Service more cost effective, procedures that can help to increase the efficiency of public service delivery will continue be explored, such as corporatisation and public-private partnership, while at the same time identifying services that can be consolidated and integrated.

“Thirdly, strengthening confidence in the government by relaying information on government initiatives and events, including on the international front.The information is conveyed through various mediums via the mainstream media, social media or dialogue sessions with grassroots leaders, so that all levels of society can gain a sense of understanding and appreciation for every government action geared towards the benefit of the country’s citizens and residents – which also suits our nation’s journey towards achieving the status of ‘Baldatun Tayyibatun Wa Rabbun Ghafur’ under Vision 2035.

“Fourthly, supporting the security of the people and the nation through a concerted effort among government and private agencies, as well as members of the public.

“All relevant parties will continue to form strategies in preserving the nation’s political stability and upholding its sovereignty, in addition to linking its defence capabilities, diplomatic capacity and the nation’s preparedness in handling security threats.”