Strategic Initiatives for Public Service Modernization: The Case of Key Focus Activities (KFAs) in Sarawak, Malaysia

Abstract

Governments worldwide recognize the necessity of modernizing their public administration systems to adapt to evolving socioeconomic and technological landscapes. In Sarawak, Malaysia, the Key Focus Activities (KFA) is part of the Sarawak Civil Service initiatives to transform and optimize the civil service. The KFA initiative aims to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and responsiveness by developing, reviewing, improving, and reengineering policies, regulations, processes, systems, and procedures. An analysis of 67 Rakyat KFA project reports evaluated the reliability of data captured and the contribution of KFA projects to Sarawak Government objectives. Findings highlighted the need for improved data capture and user-friendliness of the KFA system. Many KFA projects focused on tactical, isolated achievements rather than broader, inter-agency solutions. To maximize the impact of KFA projects, recommendations were proposed. These include enhancing KFA project report’s clarity, fostering knowledge sharing and inter-agency collaboration, and promoting public participation. The KFA initiative showcases the Sarawak Government's commitment to enhancing its civil service, in line with global trends. By addressing the identified areas for improvement, the initiative can optimize service delivery, resource utilization, and responsiveness to citizen needs. As the transformation journey continues, reevaluating and realigning the KFA initiative is essential to maintain its relevance and effectiveness in fulfilling the Sarawak Government's long-term priorities and strategic goals.