Kuala lumpur: The use of the Demerit Performance Evaluation (DEEP) system will be expanded to all heads of services and departments in every agency starting next year to ensure better governance and overall performance improvement at every level of the civil service. Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar announced this expansion, highlighting the system’s role in enhancing performance and service initiatives.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, DEEP, which began its implementation earlier this year to evaluate the performance of chief secretaries in each ministry, has shown a significant improvement in performance and the implementation of service initiatives. The system focuses on four key areas: more realistic Financial Management, reduced issues in Project Management through close monitoring, strengthened Accountability and Integrity, and improved Leadership and Personality balance, which has resulted in a positive shift in public service reform efforts.

Tan Sri Shamsul emphasized that DEEP aims not to punish but to improve public services. The system includes “remerits,” where points are deducted for errors, but added for commendable work, particularly those recognized internationally or by the community. He noted that DEEP’s assessment for the second quarter of the year has already shown positive outcomes, with many projects being implemented effectively and numerous cases resolved promptly.

In discussing the ARPA initiative launched on September 10 last year, Shamsul Azri expressed satisfaction with its impact on the civil service and the nation, citing a remarkable rise in the country’s competitiveness to 23rd place in the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking 2025, an 11-place jump from the previous year. Government efficiency, as a sub-indicator, also improved significantly, moving up eight positions.

This success, Shamsul Azri noted, is a direct result of ongoing reforms and collective commitment to ARPA’s framework, aimed at creating a high-performing civil service by 2030. To further bolster ARPA’s implementation, he announced the formation of the ARPA Monitoring Squad or Flying Squad, which will oversee service quality and regulatory compliance on-site.

The implementation of the ARPA Monitoring Squad will be a collaborative effort involving the Public Service Department (JPA), Performance Acceleration and Coordination Unit (PACU), Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC), and the MADANI Monitoring Unit. Shamsul Azri also called on Chief Reform Officers (CRO) to expedite the execution of ARPA’s initiatives, ensuring they move beyond planning to tangible outcomes for the public benefit.