"The government’s main emphasis now is the smooth implementation of the e-government process," he told the New Straits Times when asked to comment on Cuepacs suggestion that the civil service should be beefed up by an additional 200,000 employees by 2020 when Malaysia attains developed nation status.
"Computerisation will expedite the search for land titles and transfer of land grants, thus saving on a lot of manual work and the need for additional administrative staff."
He said it was the aim of the government to reduce the paper work in hospitals and this would lead to a reduction in the number of supporting staff.
Fong said, however, there was a shortage of staff in some services. Needed are more policemen, teachers, especially for teaching science subjects, doctors and nurses.
He said the government valued the contribution put in by the civil servants who often worked under very difficult conditions.
"We value all these services, but it is important that they adopt new technologies to improve productivity without having to rely on continuous incremental expansion of staff for additional responsibilities."
Fong said Cuepacs should concentrate on improving the delivery system using new technologies.
Cuepacs president Omar Osman had said that the current force of 1.3 million civil servants would not be enough by 2020 and thus should be increased.
Fong said the government would continue with the normal recruitment for replacement of retirees and those needed in critical areas.
Quelle/Source: New Straits Times, 21.12.2006
