SARIKEI: Senior officers in the Sarawak Civil Service (SCS) are urged to embrace modern changes to keep public services both relevant and efficient.

According to Sarawak State Secretary, Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, working methods need to evolve alongside technological advancements and changing times.

He reminded that everyone’s role needs to evolve rather than remain static, and should be continually updated and improved.

“The way we work has seen significant changes, influenced by various factors around us.

"For example, Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg, regularly stresses the significance of upgrading services with modern technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI).

"As leaders in your regions, you need to adapt to the changing times. With society becoming more proficient in using social media, AI, and other technologies, it is important that you also become skilled in those areas,” he said.

He said this during his speech at the Senior Administrative Officers’ Meeting for the Sarikei-Sibu-Kapit Division, held at the Sarikei Government Administration Centre on Sunday.

Additionally, Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar also called on all senior SCS officers in different regions to be well versed in policies related to green and renewable energy.

"When the Premier of Sarawak is moving at full throttle, we must not fall behind. We need to keep pace with his inventive and forward-thinking leadership, which regularly brings forth fresh ideas. At times, I also rely on online information to better understand and adapt to these new concepts.

"If we don’t understand these changes, how can we effectively communicate them to the public? Relying only on government support for further education is not enough. You must constantly consider your future and look for ways to improve your knowledge and skills on your own,” he added.

During his speech, Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar emphasised that his main aim as the Sarawak State Secretary is to put the welfare of public officials in the region at the forefront.

“In my view, neglecting the welfare of SCS families means they would not be able to perform at their best, hence affecting our overall productivity.

"This is why we have revised some of our policies with the 3R principle, ‘Revisit, Rethink, and Recharge,’ to address and improve the outdated aspects,” he further explained.

He added that in his two years in the role, he had noticed several issues that needed addressing, especially around the limited chances for promotion when no positions are open.

The session, which ran for almost two hours provided senior officers with an opportunity to pose questions to Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar for more insight into SCS management matters.

Also present were Sarawak Deputy State Secretary (Administration), Datu Buckland Bangik, Resident of Sarikei Division, Michael Ronnie Langgong, Resident of Sibu Division, Abang Mohamad Porkan Abang Budiman and Resident of Kapit Division, Galong Luang.

Also present were Director of the Administration Unit (UP), Datu Mohamad Junaidi Mohidin, Director of the Human Resource Management and Development Unit (SHRU), Sharifah Rohana Datu Wan Alwi, Director of the Sarawak Implementation Monitoring Unit, Sapiah Daud, Director of the Public Service Digitalisation Unit (SCSDU), Grace Huong Siew Hung, Director of the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS), Samuel Simon, Deputy Resident of the Sarikei Division, Badjuri Bidin and Deputy Resident of the Kapit Division, Robert Lima. -UKASnews