M'SIAN PM PROPOSES PUBLIC-PRIVATE SECTOR ATTACHMENT PROGRAMME

KUALA LUMPUR, March 20 (Bernama) -- Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
proposed that officers from selected public sector departments go for attachment
with the private sector and vice versa.

The Malaysian prime minister said such a programme or arrangement would
enable the officers and executives from both sectors to experience and learn
each other's working environment, and the way the government departments worked
and how the public sector operated.

Abdullah said this would be mutually beneficial and create better
understanding between them, thus contributing to greater efficiency,
competitiveness and good governance.

"I think it is worthwhile for the public and private sectors to
have such an experience," he said in his speech at a dinner with Pemudah
(Special Force Force to Facilitate Business) members at a hotel, here, Thursday
night.

Also present were the Chief Secretary to the Government Sidek Hassan
and immediate past president of the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers Yong
Poh Kon. Both are also co-chairmen of Pemudah.


Pemudah or Pasukan Petugas Khas Pemudahcara Perniagaan, established on Feb
7, 2007 and reporting directly to the prime Minister, comprises 23 highly
respected individuals from the private and public sectors.

Some of its tasks involve reviewing the status of the public service
delivery system in terms of processes, procedures, legislation and human
resource towards introducing improvements, studying best practices in the
private sector that can be adopted by the public sector, and coordinating
programmes across public sector agencies towards enhancing Malaysia's
competitiveness.

Abdullah said it was not impossible for Malaysia to be among the top 10 most
competitive economies and also for good governance and efficiency, provided that
everyone worked hard.

"I know that the prevailing spirit of public and private sector
partnership can produce the result," he said.

On Pemudah, Abdullah said he was very happy with its contribution and
success so far, adding that when Pemudah was initiated there were great
expectations for it to produce some good results in improving the public service
delivery system.

"Here, I want to acknowledge the members of the public sector who responded
so positively to the proposals and the feedback from the private sector and
Pemudah. And I would like to see this partnership growing and strengthened," he
said.

-- BERNAMA