Kuala lumpur: Malaysia is poised to share its successful implementation of the Public Service Reform Agenda (ARPA) with ASEAN member countries, as announced by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. The initiative, which encompasses a comprehensive framework and practical lessons, aims to bolster regional collaboration and learning.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Shamsul Azri highlighted that the exchange would enable ASEAN nations to gain insight into Malaysia’s approach in strengthening leadership, human capital, and technology-three pivotal pillars of reform. He noted that within a year of implementation, ARPA has already yielded tangible results, as evidenced by Malaysia’s significant jump in the IMD World Competitive Ranking, moving from 34th to 23rd place in 2025-its best position since 2020.

Shamsul Azri elaborated on ARPA’s transformative impact on Malaysia’s public service, which is now more trustworthy, agile, people-centred, and future-ready. He stressed that the initiative, while national, is poised to deliver regional benefits by using ASEAN’s collective platform as a benchmark for national progress. ARPA’s alignment with the ASEAN Declaration on Human Resource Development for the Changing World of Work 2020 underscores its relevance and applicability within the region.

Furthermore, Shamsul Azri reiterated Malaysia’s commitment to leveraging regional platforms to assess its performance vis- -vis neighboring countries, seek strategic support, and set higher aspirations for its public service. This proactive stance, he asserted, not only fosters internal excellence but also positions Malaysia as an active contributor to ASEAN’s collective aim of becoming a competitive and future-proof regional bloc.