Kuala lumpur: Repeated errors in public sector human resource management must be stopped and addressed comprehensively, said Public Service Department (PSD) director-general Tan Sri Dr Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz. He emphasized that errors in the appointment process, acting appointments, promotions, salary adjustments, disciplinary matters, and performance management should not become the norm.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Wan Ahmad Dahlan highlighted that one of the most basic measures of a system's quality is whether the same errors continue to recur. "If they do, it indicates that the root cause has yet to be addressed. Cases that may appear minor in the process can have a significant impact on officers as well as the credibility of the organization. Repeated errors are no longer isolated cases; instead, they point to systemic weaknesses," he said while opening the Public Sector Human Resource Management Conference.
He also noted that Malaysia's improved performance in the 2026 World Competitiveness Ranking sets a new benchmark for public expectations of the civil service. Human resource managers have a critical role to play in supporting the Reform Success Pillars, particularly in organizational development, human capital, and service delivery. "Successful reform is not determined by the sophistication of systems alone, but also depends on the quality of the people implementing them," he added.
Wan Ahmad Dahlan stressed that both reform and transformation require civil servants to have the courage to discard outdated practices and embrace new ones for high-impact restructuring. "Transformation is a continuous process, while reform entails radical change. It will only become a reality when we have the courage to make the right decisions more quickly and address problems at their root. Therefore, driving performance means improving the quality of work, while realizing reform means ensuring that the changes deliver a tangible impact. This major shift must be fully reflected in dynamic human resource management," he said.
At a press conference later, he explained that issues related to human resource management have far-reaching implications at the federal and state levels, as well as for local authorities (PBT). "So, we want to safeguard civil servants and ensure that they do not suffer any losses as a result of human resource management errors," he said.
Additionally, Wan Ahmad Dahlan launched the book 'Institusi Ketua Pengarah Perkhidmatan Awam Alaf Baharu', documenting the development, role, and contributions of the Institution of the Director-General of Public Service. It covers strategies, reforms, and initiatives from 2000 to 2025, shaping Malaysia's civil service for the new millennium. Themed 'Driving Performance, Realising Reform', the conference was attended by more than 1,000 key human resource practitioners from ministries, departments, agencies, State Secretary offices, statutory bodies, and local authorities.