Sarawak: The HEMAT values - an acronym for Hijrah Tata Kelola (Governance Reform), Empati Rakyat (Empathy for the People), Minda Pekin (Progressive Mindset), Apresiasi Inovasi (Appreciation of Innovation), and Telus Tadbiran (Transparent Administration) - have proven effective in enhancing self-management and work performance among civil servants. Director-General of Public Service (KPPA) Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz shared insights from a recent survey conducted during the MADANI Public Service Counselling Associates (AKRAB) Gathering on June 18, indicating that all 5,396 respondents acknowledged the HEMAT values contributed to a 57 per cent improvement in personal management.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the values are projected to potentially increase overall work performance and quality by up to 64 per cent. Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz emphasized that these values are practical and easy to integrate into daily tasks, acting as intrinsic motivators for positive actions among civil servants. They serve as guiding principles in shaping a progressive, inclusive, and competitive work culture, each value with its own definition and emphasis.
The HEMAT Aspirations Forum: Pulse of the Public Service Reform, organized by the Public Service Department (PSD) through the National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN) Sarawak Campus (INSARA), in collaboration with the Sarawak State Secretary's Office and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), provided a platform for discussing these values. Similar feedback was reported in previous forums across various regions, including Kelantan, Terengganu, Sabah, Penang, Perak, and engagements with the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA) since last year.
Wan Ahmad Dahlan noted that between 83.6 and 89.5 per cent of respondents were identified as 'innovators' based on the diffusion of innovation theory, which tracks early adopters of new ideas. He encouraged civil servants to understand, anticipate, and facilitate stakeholder engagement, especially with the public, to align with government aspirations and perform tasks efficiently and effectively.
The event, attended by approximately 1,600 federal and state civil servants in Sarawak, also featured the launch of a book titled 'Wan Ahmad Dahlan Haji Abdul Aziz: A Mountain of Service, An Ocean of Legacy'. The book documents his leadership initiatives and is expected to serve as a key reference and source of inspiration for ongoing improvements and innovation in the civil sector.