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| Prime Minister's Department |
The
Prime Minister's Department comprises numerous Divisions, Boards, Units,
Authorities and other agencies. In this chapter an attempt is made to examine
some of them. In addition, a few others are examined in Chapter Thirteen on
Public Enterprises.
CABINET AND
CONSTITUTION DIVISION
This
Division serves as the secretariat to the Cabinet. It processes Cabinet Papers
prepared by various ministries for submission to the Cabinet, prepares the
agenda, records the proceedings of Cabinet Meetings and obtains feedback on the
implement ation of Cabinet decisions. The Division also serves as the
secretariat to several Cabinet Committees and a number of other high level
bodies.
The
Division deals with the appointments of Yang di-Pertua Negeri-negeri; the
President of the Dewan Negara and the Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat; Ministers
and Deputy Ministers of the Federal Government; Members of the Senate;
Parliamentary and Political secretaries; appointments under the Constitution
including judges and appointments to the various Service Commissions and the
Election Commission; statutory appointments and designated posts.
It
attends to parliamentary business such as the parliamentary calender, the Royal
Address for the opening of Parliament and processes replies to parliamentary
questions pertaining to the Prime Minister's Department.
ADMINISTRATION AND
FINANCE DIVISION
This
Division attends to the day-to-day administration and finance of the Prime
Minister's Department. It is also concerned with all staffing, services and
administrative matters as well as security measures of all Divisions in the
Department. It exercises overall control over the administration of the
National Mosque, National Monument and Dewan Tunku Abdul Rahman.
FEDERAL TRANSLATION
BUREAU
It
is responsible for the translation into Bahasa Malaysia or English of official
documents, secret or confidential reports, white papers, agreements and
contracts, special messages and speeches that originate from various
Ministries, Government Departments and Statutory Bodies.
ADMINISTRATIVE
MACHINERY FOR PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION
The planning
machinery comprises the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) and the General Planning
and Socio-Economic Research Unit (GPU) in the Prime Minister's Department and
planning cells in strategic agencies, e.g. the Treasury, Bank Negara Malaysia, the
Planning Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Development Division and
the Educational Planning and Research Division of the Ministry of Education, the Planning and
Development Division of the Ministry of Health, the Highway Planning and Public
Transport Unit of the Ministry of Works and Utilities and the Research and
Planning Division of the Ministry of Communications. Their activities
are supported by the Department of Statistics which provides the statistical
information needed for planning. The EPU is responsible in the National
Development Planning Committee (NDPC), an inter-agency committee comprising the
civil service heads of all major economic development Ministries under the
chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to the Government. The NDPC in turn reports
to the National Economic Council (NEC) — a committee of the Federal Cabinet
under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister.
A
Consultative Committer comprising the NDPC and members of the private sector
was set up to provide for continuing interaction between representatives of the
public and private sectors on matters pertaining to the formulation and
implementation of policies and programmes for national economic and social
development, particularly those concerning the private sector.
At
the state level, the State Planning Units (SPUs) are located within the State
Secretariat and work to the State Action Committee which are under the Chairmanship
of the Menteri Besar/Chief Minister. The activities of planning units in State
Governments are in a number of cases supplemented by specially created Federal
and/or State regional devleopment authorities established for regional
development areas.
The
Third Malaysia Plan was prepared by the central agencies of the Federal
Government including the EPU, the Impelementation and Coordination Unit (ICU),
GPU and the Department of Statistics, all in the Prime Minister's Department,
the Treasury and Bank Negara Malaysia in conjunction with all Federal
Ministries and Departments, State Governments and Statutory Authorities
participated in the initiation of plan proposals in respect of their areas of
concern and in the deliberations on these proposals working through specially
constituted Inter-Agency Planning Groups (lAPGs) under the direction of the
NDPC and the NEC. The private sector was also involved in the planning process
through its participation in the Private Sector Consultative Committee of the
NDPC.
The
recommendations so formulated were examined in detail by special committees
comprising a number of Ministers headed by both the Prime Minister and the
Deputy Prime Minister before their consideration by the NEC and thereafter by
the Cabinet. This process, wherein fundamental issues are fully considered at
the highest levels of Government, ensures that Malaysia's development policies
and programmes meet the needs of the people in terms of the underlying concepts
and strategy of the Plan.
Plan
coordination and implementation is the direct responsibility of executive
Ministries, Departments and agencies at the Federal, State and regional levels.
To ensure coordination and implementation at the national and inter
departmental levels, ICU was established within the Prime Minister's
Department. The Unit works to a National Action Council (NAC) under the
chairmanship of the Prime Minister, the executive committee of which — also
under his chairmanship — meets regularly with selected agencies of the
Government for intensive review of their progress and problems. Arrangements at
the State and District levels follow closely the pattern at the Centre.
The
heart of the implementation machinery is the Operations Room at the Central,
Ministerial, State and District levels.
ECONOMIC PLANNING UNIT
(EPU) - BAHAGIAN PERANCANG EKONOMI
The
EPU of the Prime Minister's Department is the central staff agency of the
government for planning national economic development. It acts as the
secretariat to the National Economic Council (NEC), the National Development
Planning Committee (NDPC), the Foreign Investment Committee (FIC) as well as
advice to the National Action Council (NAC) on issues relating to economic
development planning and policy in particular to the New Economic Policy of the
Government.
The
main functions of EPU are:
1.to
formulate government's broad objectives in development planning and to prepare
the Five Year Plans,
2.to
prepare the annual development budget for submission to the NDPC and thereafter
the Cabinet,
3.to
coordinate the execution of various development projects,
4.to
monitor and evaluate the progress and results of the implementation of the
Plans and recommend changes when necessary.
5.to
maintain intelligence on the current state of the economy,
6.to
advice the Government on general economic problems and inform international
organisations about economic development in Malaysia;
7.to
initiate necessary economic and social research,
8.to
plan and coordinate foreign development assistance for the implementation of
the plans.
In
order to carry out these functions the EPU is organised into the following
divisions and sections:
(a)The National
Planning Division (NPD). This Division is concerned primarily with
national economic issues and development goals for both the short and long
terms for consideration by the NEC and the NDPC. Its role involves in reviewing
the main economic trends affecting the development of the economy particularly
in respect of the restructuring of society, economic growth, the distribution
of income and the growth and distribution of employment.
The
activities of this Division revolve around five main centres of activity: Macro
economics. Distribution, Population and Manpower, External Assistance and Econo
metric Service.
(1)The
Macroeconomic Section is mainly concerned with formulation and evaluation of
the overall national development objectives and policies. This section maps out
the path of development and determines the targets for public and private
investment, consumption, exports and imports, prices, production and income
generation.
(2)The
Distribution Section considers the distribution and ownership of wealth,
poverty groups and restructuring of the society as envisaged in the New
Economic Policy.
The
Population and Manpower Seciton is concerned with the review and analysis of
the increase in population and labour force, manpower structure, employment
and unemployment and the development of trained/skilled manpower
(3) The
External Assistance Section processes and coordinates applications from various
ministries for external technical and capital assistance including those from
multilateral sources such as the United Nations Development Programme, Colombo
Plan, Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation and from international
financial institutions like the World Bank, the Islamic Development Bank as well
as from bilateral sources. In conjunction with the Treasury, it undertakes loan
negotiations with donor countries and international organisations.
(4)The
Econometric Section helps to develop a computerized management information
system for the Unit. This section works closely with the project monitoring
section of the Implementation Coordination Unit in designing a suitable
reporting system for monitoring and reviewing the implementation of development
projects. This section also services the other sections in EPU, programming and
designing appropriate models for projects appraisal and allocation of funds.
(b)Operation
Division. This Division is responsible for the implementation of the plans by
the process of allocating funds for the public sector development programmes,
the reviews and evaluation of the national plans, programmes and projects.
The
focus of work in this section is the analysis of the role of different sectors
of the economy in the attainment of Government's economic and social objectives
and the problems they feel in meeting these objectives. For instance, the
Agriculture Section conducts analyses on land alienation and development, padi
pricu and production, rubber replanting, market prospects for major
agricutlural crops and the economics of competing land uses for crops and
forestry.
The
Industry Section reviews and analyses the progress of industrial development
and policies designed to promote further rapid growth litis it dons In close
collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Malaysian Industrial
Development Authority (MIDA) and other operating agencies Ihe section also
provides staff support to the Capital Investment Committee.
Detailed
sectoral planning work is similarly undertaken in respect of such sectors as Education
and Training, Transport and Communications, Utilities and Social Services.
(c)Foreign Investment Committee (FIC). The FIC was established to process
applications from the private sector and foreign investors who intend to invest
through acquisition of assets, or takeovers, This is to implement the long term
objectives of the New Economic Policy whereby by 1990, 70% of the ownership of
the shares of limited companies in Malaysia should be in the hands of
Malaysians, 30% of which should be owned by Bumiputras or Bumiputra interests.
It also undertakes the research and compilation of data concerning private and
foreign investment.
(d)Regional
Development Division. This Division is concerned with regional and urban planning
studies and the assessment of the country's development potential in the light
of spatial distributions of the natural and human resources within various
regions of the economy. The activities of this section revolve around two main
areas, the Area Planning and the Natural Resource Evaluation Sections.
(i).The
area Planning Section is concerned with developing guidelines and criteria for
initiating and evaluating proposals for integrated development programmes
within specific urban and rural areas in the country. It also advices the state
planning authorities in area and regional development work to ensure
consistency with national strategy for regional development.
(ii).The
Natural Resource Evaluation Section collects and collates information on
spatial distribution of resources and the economic potential of the various
regions in the country. The main task of this section is the compiling and
systematic updating of the maps and data on the country's land resources. It
also formulates policy guidelines relating to the environmental impact of
development.
The
EPU is responsible to the NDPC, an inter-agency committee comprising the civil
service heads of all major economic development Ministries under the Chairmanship
of the Chief Secretary to the Government. The NDPC in turn reports to the NEC —
a committee of the Federal Cabinet under the Chairmanship of the Prime
Minister. Recently, a Consultative Committee comprising the NDPC and members of
the private sector was set up. The object being to provide continuing
interaction between representatives of the public and private sectors on
matters pertaining to the formulation and implementation of policies and
programmes for national economic and social development, particularly those
concerning the private sector.
IMPLEMENTATION
COORDINATION UNIT (ICU). BAHAGIAN PENYELARASAN PELAKSANAAN
Plan
coordination and implementation is the direct responsibility of executive
Ministries, Departments and agencies at the Federal, State and regional levels.
To ensure coordination and implementation at the national and
inter-departmental levels, ICU was established within the Prime Minister's
Department. The heart of the implementation machinery is the Operations Room at
the Central, Ministerial, State and District levels.
The
objectives of the Unit are:
(i)to
monitor and evaluate implementation of all government policies and programmes
to achieve the objectives of the New Economic Policy (NEP)
(ii)to
coordinate the policies of all Ministers and Government Departments, as well as
to initiate new policies and change existing policies so as to facilitate
achievement of the NEP.
(iii)to
develop and maintain at all times a system of administration which is dynamic
and effective at federal, state and local levels.
(iv)to
further improve the capacity and capability of the administration for plan
implementation through administrative reforms and the development of cost
consciousness and efficiency in all governmental activities.
(v)to
foster and encourage attitudes and values in the public sector consonant with
the times and in line with the needs of development, change and progress.
In
order to achieve the above objectives, the Unit discharges its functions as
follows:
(1) Secretariat to the
NAC
(i).
at their meetings various Government agencies give briefings on 'Goal Programme
Agency Matrix' which is prepared by this Unit. ICU is responsible for monitoring
decisions made and ensuring that agencies responsible carry out these decisions
within the short possible time.
(2) Supervision of
Plan Implementation
(i)monitoring
the progress on the implementation of development projects
(ii)to
identify bottlenecks and study in detail problems faced in implementing tlm
development programmes and suggest ways and means of overcoming them.
(iii)to
act as coordinator at official level for Ministries, Departments, Statutory
Bodies and Companies which have Government participation. It also oversees and
coordinates the implementation of social and community development programmes,
known as Gerakan Pembaharuan
which extends to both the rural and urban sectors. Among major activities of
community development are the Green Book Programme, Applied Food Nutrition
Programmes and seminars for the Village Development Committees.
(iv)to
be in charge of the National Operations Room and ensure its effective
functioning.
(3)Machinery for the
supervision of Bumiputra participation in commerce and
industry.
(i)to
review and revise the existing Government Departments' policies and objectives
with a view to increase the Bumiputras participation in the field of commerce
and industry.
(ii)to
identify the types of projects to be developed by Bumiputras and supervise the
implementation of such projects.
(iii)to
coordinate efforts in bringing greater Bumiputra participation in commerce and
industry
(iv)to
ensure proper use and distribution of resources between and among Government
agencies with regard to staffing, finance and other resources with a view to
achieve the objectives of the NEP.
(4)Evaluation.
(i)to
evaluate the implementation of development projects
(ii)to
assess the progress from time to time in relation to the Government's objective
in creating a Bumiputra commercial and industrial community i.e. by 1990 Bumiputras
own and operate 30% commercial and industrial enterprises.
(5)Development
Administration
(i)to
promote and maintain an effective and dynamic system of government administration
at all levels.
(ii)to
promote and maintain, through administrative reform and innovations greater
economy and efficiency in governmental operation.
SOCIO-ECONOMIC
RESEARCH AND GENERAL PLANNING UNIT (SERGPU)
The
SERGPU in the Prime Minister's Department is engaged in activities.
(i)
to undertake in-depth studies of the socio-economic problems of development and
evaluate the socio-economic Impact of development programmes and projects after
they are implemented or completed;
(ii)to
conduct special studies on pressing national issues as directed by Government
from time to time, either through Interdepartmental Committees and Task Forces
or empirical research or both;
(iii)to
develop social development policy guidelines as input for the national development
plan and monitor the social aspects of development through the establishment
and maintenance of a system of social indicators;
(iv)to
receive, process and decide on application to undertake research in Malaysia by
all foreign researchers and in the case of local researchers where they require
the cooperation of Federal and State Government agencies;
(iv)to
supervise, coordinate and advise on the operations of all divisions and units
under SERGPU including the Public Complaints Bureau, the Malaysian Centre for
Development Studies (MCDS), the Department of Statistics.
The
role of SERGPU is indicated by its membership on several committees at the
national level. The major ones include the Rubber Task Force, Committee on
Construction Capacity, Committee on the Role of the Standards Institution of
Malaysia in Relation to Exports, the Planning Committee on the National
Airlines, the Committee on National Manpower Policy and a number of others.
Apart from producing reports on specific topics, in some cases the Unit has
also been made responsible for follow-up action on recommendation or monitoring
implementation of the reports.
Planning and Research
Division. This Division comprises three subdivisions responsible for (i)
studies pertaining to the socio-economic impact of agricultural and rural
development programmes and projects, (ii) studies pertaining to the socioeconomic
impact of industrial and urban development programmes and projects and
(iii)
studies on poverty groups and population growth. In 1978 SERGPU initiated a
Social Indicators Project which is compiling data on a number of areas like
poverty eradication, health and nutrition, education, housing, natural
resources and labour and employment. The results of this research effort should
undoubtedly help Government policy makers to be more aware of the impact of
the country's past development efforts and the changes that might be necessary
in the country's development plans to enhance the enjoyment of a better
standard and quality of life for people of all groups and regions in the
country.
Public Complaints
Bureau. The principal responsibilities of this Bureau are:
(i)to
receive, consider and secure clarification of valid complaints by citizens over
any administrative act done or omitted, relating to a matter of public administration
by any Federal Department, and to redress grievances where possible;
(ii)to
provide a feedback to Government regarding administrative matters and to
identify problem areas so that corrective measures may be taken where
necessary.
The
Bureau deals with complaints from the public about difficulties encountered in
dealing with Government agencies or public grievances about any Government
administrative action which is considered unfair. It processes the complaints
or grievances, gets in touch with the agency concerned and ensures that the
legitimate rights of the people are not violated by executive or administrative
mistake or abuse of power.
The
feedback obtained from the Complaints Bureau on the basis of a systematic
analysis of the complaints, enables the Government to effect improvements to the
overall Government machinery. A new subdivision has been set up to undertake
continuous analysis of the causes of administrative injustice, relating them to
the administrative procedures, rules and regulations which give rise to them.
The tub division will bring the Bureau closer towards becoming an agent for
ensuring tliut administrative procedures, rules and regulations are not only
just but are also implemented justly.
STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
This
Department is responsible for:
(i)collecting,
processing and publishing of statistical information
(ii)the
interpretation of statistics published as and when required,
(iii)providing
statistical data and advising consumers on their use in both the public and
private sector; and
(iv)providing
assistance in the processing of data as undertaken by various government
agencies.
A
number of studies on demographic projection, housing needs in Malaysia, and
padi production have also been undertaken in addition to conducting national
cnnum and surveys.
NATIONAL FAMILY
PLANNING BOARD (LEMBAGA PERANCANG KELUARGA KEBANGSAAN)
The
National Family Planning Board is under the portfolio of the I’rlmo Minium's
Department. It was established in 1966 and is responsible for implementing lire
I amily Planning programmes to achieve the objectives of economic and social
progress of the country as planned under the First Malaysian Development Programme.
The major purpose of the scheme is to reduce the growth rate of the population
to 2% by 1985 so that more resources can be devoted to investment, tlieinby
Increasing the per capita income and the rate of national output.
The
duties and functions of the Board are:
(i)the
formulation of policies and methods lor tho promotion and spread of family
planning knowledge and practice on the grounds of health of mothers and
children and welfare of the family.
(ii)
the programming, directing, administering and coordinating of family planning
activities in the country
(iii)to
be responsible for the training of all persons involved in the family planning
extension work
(iv)to
be responsible for the conducting of research on medical and biological methods
relating to family planning
(v)the
promotion of studies and research on inter relationships between social,
cultural, economic and population changes and also research concerning
fertility and maternity pattern in the country.
(vi)to
set up a system of evaluation by means of which it will be possible from time
to time to assess the effectiveness of the programme and the progress towards the
attainment of national objectives.
The
experience of the National Family Planning Board has proved that large number
of people in both urban and rural areas are now keenly aware of the benefits of
small family. As Table V shows the Family Planning Board has been reasonably
successful in reducing the birth rate from 3.73 in 1966 to 3.18 in 1978.
Table V
REDUCTION IN POPULATION INCREASE, MALAYSIA (PER THOUSAND)
|
|||
Year
|
Crude Birth Rate
|
Crude Death Rate
|
Crude Rate of Natural
Increase
|
1957
|
46.2
|
12.4
|
33.8
|
1966
|
37.3
|
7.6
|
29.7
|
1972
|
33.3
|
6.9
|
26.4
|
1975
|
31.4
|
6.4
|
24.9
|
1978
|
31.8
|
6.0
|
25.7
|
NATIONAL UNITY BOARD
The
main objective of the Board of National Unity is the building of united, democratic,
just, liberal and progressive society in accordance with the principles of the
Rukunegara. The task of the Board of National Unity is to help create a society
where people of all races regard themselves as citizens of Malaysia and not as
different groups.
In
carrying out this task, the Board is arrested by an Advisory Panel whose
functions are to inform and advise the Government on racial problems and
suggest short term and lont-term solutions. The members of the Board comprise
all races from all walks of life who are well informed in national affairs.
To
implement its objectives, the Board is divided into 3 divisions — the Administrative
and Finance Division, the Community Relations Division and the Research
Division.
Administration and
Finance. This Division provides the requisite system of administration and
finance and carries out functions of coordination, evaluation and servicing to
ensure the achievement of the objectives of the Board.
The
Division is responsible for the publication of a fortnightly magazine, 'Balai
Muhibbah', which is the official organ of the Board. The magazine highlights
goodwill activities and news throughout the country, and serves as reading
material for students of the National Solidarity Classes and the general public.
Community Relations.
This Division is concerned with the integration of the various races through
the Community Relations Programme and other projects which are intended to
promote not only closer understanding and cooperation among the multi-racial
community but also to instil in them the spirit of loyalty to King and Country.
The Community
Relations Division carries out numerous activities like National Solidarity
Classes, Unity Quiz, dialogue, Unity Work Camps, Essay Competitions, Community
Games, etc with the sole purpose of achieving national unity.
Research
Division. This Division focuses its attention on ethno-socio problems especially
those pertaining to rare relations within the context of national unity. In addition
to this, the Research Division:
(i)
organises closed door dialogue sessions with selected groups from time to time
to obtain feedback for government action
(ii)investigates
complaints on racial discrimination
(iii)submits
reports and suggestions to relevant authorities
(iv)processes
and supervises applications from foreign researchers who either come
individually or in a group
(v)prepares
booklets on customs and culture of the various ethnic groups ,is well us
subjects on citizenship
(vi)publishing
a biannual magazine of the Board, 'NEGARA, which provides the platform for
discussion on social problems within and outside the country, and delivers
lectures and talks on Government policies in the context of national unity to
social organizations, Government institutions and the private sector.
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