KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 18): The Government may intensify initiatives pertaining to reforming public sector institutions “to rightsize the public service and augment talent management”, according to the Mid-term Review of the 11th Malaysia Plan 2016-2020 report.

The Government, said the review, will continue to rationalise the public sector institutions by establishing a special task force to conduct a comprehensive audit and review across public sector institutions and agencies.

“This task force will be led by the Chief Secretary to the Government to assess the roles and functions of various entities including statutory bodies and State-owned enterprises,” said the review.

The aim, it said, is to allow optimal resource utilisation in the sector by rightsizing and increasing the efficiency of the public service.

“Public sector institutions reforms will also entail rationalisation of Malaysian missions abroad involving the review of the existing structures, posts and functions of the various Malaysian representative offices worldwide,” it added.

Other steps to reform the public sector include strengthening talent management, customising performance assessment, promoting career development as well as improving work-life balance of public servants.

Additionally, the report underlined the introduction of a legislation to govern the public service as part of the reform.                 
“The legislation aims to enable public servants to serve the government, Parliament and the people transparently and accountably.

“The legislation will also empower public servants to carry out their duties and responsibilities without fear or favour,” it added.