The first was to end the contracts of six diplomats who were among the political appointees under the previous Barisan Nasional (BN) administration on June 30.
They were Zahrain Mohamed Hashim (ambassador to Indonesia), Bernard Dompok (ambassador to Vatican City), Ghulam Jelani Khanizam (high commissioner to Brunei), Blanche Olbery (ambassador to Finland), Adeline Leong (president of the Malaysian Friendship and Trade Centre in Taipei, Taiwan), and Siow Chen Pin (Consul-General in Kunming (China).
The second was to abolish six government agencies, including the National Professors Council (MPN), Special Affairs Department (Jasa), the Residents’ Representatives Committee (JPP) and Malaysian External Intelligence Organisation (MEIO).
The third was reducing the number of agencies under the Prime Minister’s Office from 96 agencies to 48.
At the Dewan Rakyat recently, the government had said it would be able to cut 60% of its operating expenditure after a rationalisation plan is carried out.
The initial development expenditure approved for this year was about RM12.2 billion. After the rationalisation plan, the cost will come down to RM4.9 billion.
The fourth was the appointment of chief secretaries to 11 ministries and setting up of the National Centre for Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption (GIACC) to inculcate high integrity.
Ali also mentioned the implementation of the English test for senior government officers to improve the standard of English in the public sector.
The government also introduced the myPortfolio process to make work more efficient in government departments.
“Other than that, any act of sabotage within the civil service and any leak of information from government departments have been dealt with through disciplinary action,” he said in a statement.
Ali said these changes would continue to ensure the people get the best service from civil servants.