KUALA LUMPUR, March 20 – The first phase of the Government Transformation Programme (GTP), which came to a close last year, recorded significant achievements in all seven National Key Result Areas (NKRA) that were implemented for the wellbeing of the people, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
In the Prime Minister’s foreword of the GTP Annual Report 2012, he described GTP 1.0, which was launched in 2010, as laying the foundation for transformation and innovation on a large scale over the next decade and a half.
“With the first phase of the GTP concluded, I am pleased to report that this massive effort by the government has generated significant outcomes, ” he said in the report released by the Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu) of the Prime Minister’s Department.
He said since the implementation of the GTP, the government had ensured that Malaysians had access to quality goods and services at the best value; made Malaysia a safer country for every citizen by bringing down the crime rate; eradicated hardcore poverty and provided significant relief to low-income households.
In addition, he said the government also took steps to fight corruption, work with the private sector to restore trust in the government; improve the quality of education for all students in Malaysia so as to provide the skills necessary for them to compete in the global market and improve significantly access to infrastructure and public transport system, particularly in critical areas such as the Klang Valley and to improve the people’s living standard
The seven NKRAs which are the pillars of the GTP are Reducing Crime, Fighting Corruption, Improving Student Outcome , Raising Living Standards of Low-Income Households, Improving Rural Basic Infrastructure, Improving Urban Public Transport and Addressing the Rising Cost of Living.
Najib said the changes were demanded by the people which spurred the government to initiate greater effort to meet their aspirations. He also explained that many obstacles and difficulties were encountered in implementing the changes but the challenges served as an impetus for the government to intensify efforts for the next phase.
“The GTP which aims at the very heart of the civil service, is more difficult than most. Throughout this first phase, there have been steep learning curves and some initiatives have not met the ambitious goals set at the start.
“This is to be expected with such a vast programme of change, and if anything, gives us an extra incentive to increase our efforts during the next phase ,” he said.
Najib said the government was aware that the GTP could not shy away from dealing with doubt and skepticism when it was first introduced, and on the results of the implementation of the GTP.
“We welcome such scrutiny. However, I want to give assurance to the people that the government will continue to be entirely open and transparent on what its goals are and what has been achieved.
“Each and every NKRA will continue to undergo a rigorous auditing and validation process from both local and international reviewers to remove any doubt about the legitimacy of the results, ” he said.
Although hoping the results will convince critics on the merits of the plan, Najib said he encouraged Malaysians to come forward and tell the government how it can change the beloved country for the better. He said more challenges lay ahead and much more needed to be done before the mission could be accomplished.
He said one key lesson from GTP 1.0 was that the government could not achieve change alone and that it affected everyone – from families, small businesses to multinationals.
“It cannot attain its ambitious goals without the participation of all Malaysians . As I have said so often, the time of ‘Government knows best’ is over and in the spirit of 1Malaysia, we now need the people to play a greater role in helping us to improve our nation.
“Let us know how the government can make a difference in your lives,” he said.
Najib said the government could not afford to leave anyone behind as the country forged its path towards a brighter future and that it would be a shame if the momentum created trhough GTP 1.0 was not maintained.
“The goals of GTP are achievable and with your support and your backing I am confident they will be achieved,” he said.
BERNAMA
