PEKAN: Datuk Seri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar admitted that he was quite surprised when appointed as the Chief Secretary to the Government and at the same time felt apprehensive about the trust and responsibility given to him, which he described as very heavy and challenging.
He was surprised because he never expected to be appointed to lead the public service sector, replacing Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, considering there were several other equally qualified candidates.
Leaving his position as the director-general of the Public-Private Partnership Unit (UKAS), Shamsul Azri, 55, who will begin his duties as the 16th Chief Secretary to the Government tomorrow, is also happy to have been entrusted with the responsibility of this new role.
"I am grateful for the position given. Although it is heavy and challenging, I promise to provide the best service for the country. God has determined what happens," he said.
Shamsul said this when met by reporters at a gathering with family, friends, and residents of Kampung Tering in Tanjung Batu, Jalan Pekan-Nenasi, here today.
He said that the responsibility he shoulders is very heavy, challenging, and not easy, requiring more focus to safeguard the interests of all parties in the country's public service sector.
"Previously, I was responsible for only one agency; the new responsibility requires continuous focus. I will strive to give my best for the progress and prosperity of the country.
"I need the support of all parties to ensure the task entrusted to me is carried out smoothly," said Shamsul, adding that one of his focuses as Chief Secretary is to elevate the public service as a catalyst for the country's progress.
"Today, civil servants are provided with various facilities, and soon, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will announce a salary increase for civil servants," he said.
Shamsul also said that he would focus on the issue of bureaucracy, as well as transforming the working methods of the public sector to be faster and more efficient, alongside efforts to curb leakage and wastage of government funds.
"Efforts to curb leakages, including subsidies and claims for overtime work by civil servants, will be looked into. I also believe it is time for government organisations with overlapping roles to be unified.
"This is to prevent the continuous wastage of national funds without any action. When leakages can be curbed continuously, it means government spending can be reduced," he said.
His appointment as the new Chief Secretary was announced through a statement from the Prime Minister's Office on Aug 7, stating that the appointment would take effect on Aug 12, replacing Mohd Zuki who retired on Aug 10.
Shamsul holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Tulsa, Oklahoma, US.
He also received exposure from several international institutions, including the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, and the European Institute of Business Administration.
Shamsul's appointment, with 30 years of experience in the public service, having served in the Finance Ministry, the Public Service Department, and state government administration, was approved by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.