Kuala lumpur: A comprehensive evaluation of the Performance Demerit System (DEEP) for the civil service will be known for the first time in January next year, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said. He stated that the system, which was introduced in January this year, is monitored quarterly to measure the effectiveness of ministry and department leadership.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, one of the key indicators is the effectiveness of project implementation, which takes a year to complete. "Therefore, scores cannot be given too early and can only be evaluated in the fourth quarter," Shamsul Azri explained during a media engagement session today. The session was attended by Bernama's Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj.
Shamsul Azri emphasized that DEEP is not intended to punish department heads but to enhance the quality of public service delivery. "We must remember that the objective of this demerit system is not to punish, but to improve services for the people. We start with 100 points. If there are weaknesses, points are deducted; if performance is good, points can be added. there is a threshold value," he noted.
He further mentioned that department heads who fail to show improvement will initially receive advice and be given a period to address shortcomings. "But if they still cannot improve, I will have to transfer them to another place so they may perform better there," he added.
On January 24, Public Service Department director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz indicated that department heads, including ministerial secretaries-general who fail under DEEP, could face stricter disciplinary action. This could include withholding annual salary increments, stalled promotions, or transfers. The system, fully implemented this year, aims to be more progressive and fair as evaluations are conducted monthly compared to the previous annual reporting system.
Shamsul Azri also highlighted that the system provides a more objective assessment as expenditure performance was previously influenced by the Finance Ministry block allocations, which did not always reflect the real spending situation of government agencies. He reminded civil servants to listen to grassroots feedback to improve policies and services, rather than assuming the government always "knows best."
He concluded by urging civil servants to stay aware of the real challenges faced by the public and avoid becoming detached when making policy decisions. "We must be able to feel the pulse of the people," he stated.