UUM ONLINE: Putrajaya - "In the public service system, we need to work as a team, not just simply request management without a clear understanding of the management process," said Chief Secretary to the Government (KSN), Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali.

He made this statement during the KSN Administrative Dynamics Talk Programme – Crisis Management Experience with moderator Tan Sri Dr. Mohd Shukor Mahfar, who is also the Chairman of the UUM Board of Directors, in conjunction with the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Master of Public Management Programme (MPM) on Thursday.

According to Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, a leader must possess adequate knowledge and be well-prepared, particularly when confronted with crises.

He further reiterated that the most important thing is for every organisation, regardless of its size, to have a mission and vision that outlines what it wants to accomplish and how it plans to improve the quality of the services it provides to the public.

"Therefore, as a leader, it is imperative to assume accountability for completing a responsibility in accordance with the organisation’s vision and mission.

"The vision and mission must be clear at all levels, particularly up to the level where they will be implemented. It is essential to take this approach in order to make certain that the implementation of government policy reaches the lowest level," he said.

During the course of the interview, he also discussed his experiences during the time when the nation was struck by the COVID-19 pandemic and the change in government leadership that demanded the continuation of normal public service despite the fact that the country had changed governments.

As a civil servant, Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali stressed the importance of always being prepared, not being quick to lash out, and complying with the rules. In doing so, the staff will be able to work calmly.

"I frequently urge all Director-Generals and high-ranking officials that they should enhance their creativity in accordance with contemporary demands.

"The people still believe in civil servants, so give them the best service possible because they depend on the public service," he added.

Concluding the one-hour session of information sharing, Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali imparted insights on the attributes necessary to become a proficient public servant.

"First, demonstrate that you are capable of carrying out the responsibilities assigned to you. Second, we need to demonstrate that we are capable of completing the mission that has been assigned to us. And then, sincerity goes to work," he said.

In the meantime, UUM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Mohd Foad Sakdan, stated that the participation of KSN in the ceremony served as both an encouragement and an inspiration for UUM students to keep working actively and contributing their respective fields of expertise to the nation.

According to him, over the past two decades, the MPM programme has been very successful in producing individual leaders through their extraordinary contributions to the community outside.

He went on to say that the unwavering support, guidance, and dedication of the entire teaching staff had played a significant role in the success of the MPM programme, which had successfully produced approximately 1,000 graduates since the programme was first introduced.

Approximately one thousand graduates of the MPM have been produced since the beginning of the programme twenty years ago.

In order to disseminate knowledge, UUM has developed a more flexible platform. The university will begin offering this MPM programme in the form of Open and Distance Learning, abbreviated as ODL, beginning in September 2024.

"I am confident that MPM will continue to offer constructive, dynamic, and consistent programmes that equip students with the necessary knowledge, skills, and ethical values, in line with the need to produce the Great Leader in the public sector,” said Prof. Dr. Shahimi Mohtar, who serves in the role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs and International) read the prepared speech.

In the morning, the Public Management Alumni and Sharing Session entitled 'MPM: Pathway Towards Upskilling & Reskilling Your Potential' and featuring four alumni was held with the Dean of SOG, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Halimah Abdul Manaf, acting as the session's moderator.