PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday reminded civil servants to implement as best as possible all the proposals in the 2009 Budget, which was tabled in parliament recently.

The prime minister said inevitably there were criticisms of some of the proposals but the problem was not shortage of ideas or poor planning or in making changes, but in implementation.

“We are not short of ideas or good plans, but we are short of implementation. This is the common view.

“Surely we can overcome this by improving performance which we have proven recently in some areas. So, all must be reminded that the (Budget) proposals must be implemented as best as possible,” he said at the Prime Minister’s Department’s staff monthly assembly at Dataran Perdana here.

Abdullah believed that if all government employees had the determination and commitment, problems would not arise and success would be achieved for the good of the people and country.

He said he was happy the Auditor-General’s Report had noted that some units in the PM’s Department had shown good performance.

“I congratulate them and it is my hope that they will improve further.”

Abdullah said he was also grateful for the earnest efforts and measures taken by the various government departments and the role played by Pemudah (Special Task Force to Facilitate Business) that had resulted in Malaysia’s competitiveness level moving up a few notches to 19th this year from 23rd last year.

“This is another achievement for us, which shows that success depends on our ourselves.” However, he said, the civil servants needed to pay closer attention to the systems and procedures, and reduce bureaucracy to the minimum.

“This is because even the best system available cannot result in high-level performance if those manning the system lack the spirit, interest, knowledge and skills.

“This means that the combination of human capital and procedures must be at the same highest level.

“Then only will the improved systems and procedures work to bring the country to a higher level of success,” he said.

— Bernama