NATIONAL affluence depends on global competitiveness. That, in turn, depends on a nation's level of productivity.
The public service drives competitiveness. Its efficiency determines the speed and cost-effectiveness of the private sector.
The enhanced private-sector productivity from public-service efficiency then propels the nation's competitiveness.
Competitiveness enables us to compete internationally through quality exports while encouraging a steady flow of foreign direct investments (FDI).
Foreign capital brings with it talent and technology.
Export competitiveness and FDI expand job numbers and increase wage levels.
As consumption grows, it produces a further round of jobs and wage expansion.
And the virtuous cycle repeats. To recognise the indispensable role of the public service in enhancing national welfare, the United Nations has chosen June 23 each year as Public Service Day. This day is meant to "celebrate the value and virtue of public service to the community".
On Public Service Day, we celebrate the contributions of public servants as they work to promote the wellbeing of society.
Public servants work insecurity, healthcare, education, law enforcement, sustainable development and social welfare. They uphold the values of good governance.
In delivering all manner of services, public servants play a vital role in tackling urgent and important social issues.
They promote a business-friendly ecosystem by tearing down bureaucracy and developing infrastructure.
Much of their work is behind the scenes. Their work may not always be glamorous, but their impartiality and loyalty to the government of the day are unquestionable.
These traits are essential for the functioning of a just and equitable society.
Hardly no one is untouched by their selfless service. Given this profound role, public service is not just a job. It is a noble calling to serve the country with dedication, empathy and integrity.
The public service therefore does not forgive those who seek to enrich themselves corruptly.
Neither is it for those who want to become rich through higher salaries. The private sector is a better place for that.
Our public service has come a long way since independence. It has transformed itself from manual processes of operations and face-to-face service delivery to a digital dimension.
Here, its operations are largely digitalised and many services are accessible online and even through smartphones.
For example, after China, Malaysia is the second country to deploy artificial intelligence tools to manage traffic in big cities. The target is that by 2025, all public servants are digitally intelligent and 80 per cent of services are rendered online.
The time taken to renew a passport is the epitome of the tremendous progress that the public service has made in rendering services.
Some 50 years ago, I took my grandmother to the nearest Immigration office in Penang to renew her passport.
Our first visit proved fruitless. Tokens for service had finished by the time we reached the counter. Fortunately, we succeeded in securing a token the following day, having woken up early to be at the office when the doors opened.
After hours of waiting, my grandmother's number was called.
After satisfying that her documents were complete, the officer told us to come back after a month to collect her passport.
Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago when my daughter applied online to renew her passport. It took her two hours to get her new passport: an hour to apply and another hour to collect.
It is true that the public service, and its servants, have received more brickbats than bouquets while delivering services to the public. But the public service soldiers on to ensure national prosperity.
On Public Service Day, we recognise and appreciate the dedication, hard work and sacrifices of our public servants.
We salute them for their commitment to building a more sustainable, equitable, and peaceful country for present and future generations.
Happy Public Service Day.
The writer is an associate of the Malaysia Productivity Corporation and has been a columnist with this newspaper for over a decade
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times