It is important for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to make his mark and dictate a new modus operandi for his administration. He should take the good from the past and include better things for the future. Revolutionise the way things are done.
The cabinet should be revamped, people-wise, and also in scope, function, purpose and usefulness.
Foster dynamism with two effective top leaders, with the prime minister overlooking ministries relevant to trade, economy, finance, education and infrastructure, and the deputy prime minister ministries relevant to social affairs and integration, national affairs and services.
It is important to have a structure where the deputy prime minister is not a deputy to the prime minister but an important "most senior" minister responsible for ministries directly under his office.
Deputy ministers, if appointed, should be given bigger responsibilities. For example, the Trade and Industry Ministry could have two deputy ministers, one to look after international trade, the other domestic trade.
Some existing ministries should be merged and this is where the role of deputy ministers is more crucial. Introduce cluster portfolios so that certain ministries can work together and even be allocated shared budgets in view of their common or overlapping roles.
These cluster portfolios should be under the purview of the deputy prime minister.
I would suggest that the prime minister invite the opposition to form a shadow cabinet and the government officially recognise it as such.
I propose the following cabinet line-up.
The Prime Minister's Office should include: the prime minister; deputy prime minister; minister -- government-linked companies or agencies and Malaysia Plan; minister -- information and unity relations; minister -- human resources and public administration; adviser -- economy, commerce and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); adviser -- ethnic minorities; adviser -- religious affairs; adviser -- science and environment; and auditor -- cabinet performance and Key Performance Index.
Finance and Treasury: The minister will be a senior minister in status, with up to four deputy ministers (not necessarily from different parties) responsible for different areas such as treasury, central procurement, project implementation and entrepreneurial development/SMEs.
Trade and Industry: The minister will have senior minister status, with two senior deputy ministers, one for international and the other for domestic trade. The minister will have overall responsibility for domestic/international trade and commerce affairs.
Defence: This ministry does not need a deputy minister because the heads of the armed forces (army, air force, navy) already assist the minister. The minister need not be of senior status as the prime minister is effectively the de facto defence minister.
Law and Security: This ministry should encompass law and parliamentary affairs (previously under the Prime Minister's Department), internal security and home affairs.
The attorney-general and Dewan Negara speaker are effectively assisting the minister in matters of law and parliamentary affairs, so there is a need for only one deputy minister (for internal security and home affairs). The minister will be a senior minister in status.
National Education: Set a policy for a single national education system and appoint a non-Malay as a minister because the task of creating a national-type school system depends very much on the approval of the non-Malays. This minister will be a senior minister in status.
A commissioner for education should be appointed, who will create a committee to undertake a revamp of the school syllabus, reporting to the prime minister and a special cabinet committee.
There can be a second minister or even a senior deputy minister responsible for higher education and private learning, but keep education as one ministry.
International Relations and Policies: The minister need not be an active politician holding positions in party politics but rather a credible statesman familiar with and acceptable to the global community.
There's no need for a deputy minister because a Malaysia-based chief ambassador can be appointed to assist the minister.
Public Health Service: Needs a new direction and a complete overhaul of its functions. Have up to two deputy ministers (for rural health and medical services).
Public Utilities, Transportation and Infrastructure: This ministry will be responsible for entities like the Public Works Department and Tenaga Nasional Bhd, plus airports, road transport authorities and licensing bodies. There can be up to three deputy ministers to oversee these entities.
Communications and Technology: This ministry will be responsible for agencies involved in telecommunications, public and private media, information technology, new technologies and science.
The minister should be assisted by a committee of industry advisers of deputy ministerial status.
Environment and Rural Development: This ministry can have two deputy ministers to assist the minister.
Tourism, Arts and Culture: This ministry should have deputy ministers for tourism, arts, and heritage and culture.
Agriculture and Commodities: The minister for this newly merged ministry can have two deputies (for agricultural business and commodities).
Women and Family Affairs: This ministry should have up to four deputy ministers representing the prominent political parties and ethnic races in Malaysia.
Social Development, Youth and Sports: This ministry will also collaborate with the Information and Unity Relations Ministry and the Women and Family Affairs Ministry as a cluster portfolio that reports directly to the deputy prime minister. There needs to be only a minister (and no deputy minister).
Local Government and Urban Development: This ministry, with two deputy ministers, combines the federal territories, City Hall and all local councils under one administration, reporting directly to the deputy prime minister.
The above proposal would see the existing cabinet of 34 ministers shrink to only 20, but they can be more effective.
No comments:
Post a Comment