Government Policy-Making Process: A Reality Check
The recent allegation by former Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin that administrative and diplomatic officers (PTDs) are only "looking at Excel spreadsheets" and lacking a practical understanding of hospital operations has been refuted by the Administrative and Diplomatic Officers Alumni Association (PPTD).
PTDs: A Cornerstone in Policy Development
PPTD president Datuk Awang Alik emphasized that PTDs always play a professional role, based on data, and take into account operational reality when formulating and implementing national policies. In fact, PTDs have long been a cornerstone in developing key national policies, including in the health sector.
Success of Malaysia’s Public Health System
The success of Malaysia’s public health system, which is internationally recognized, is the result of close collaboration between health professionals and PTDs in ensuring that the policies introduced are balanced and sustainable. The allegation that PTDs fail to understand the challenges in the health sector is not only unfair but also does not reflect the true reality of government administration.
Waktu Bekerja Berlainan (WBB) System
Yesterday, Khairy attributed the failure of the WBB system for healthcare workers to a gap in understanding among bureaucrats at the Ministry of Health (MOH) regarding the reality of medical practice. However, PPTD president Awang Alik clarified that the proposed implementation of the WBB system was not done arbitrarily, but instead through comprehensive engagement sessions with various stakeholders, including medical officers, hospital administrators, and healthcare workers’ unions.
Guided by In-Depth Studies and International Best Practices
The system was also guided by in-depth studies and international best practices, which take into account the well-being of medical officers without compromising the efficiency of healthcare service delivery. As trained civil servants in policy development, PTDs are responsible for ensuring that decisions are made based on evidence and thorough research.
Unfair to Point the Finger at PTDs
Indeed, every new policy implementation will face challenges and have room for improvement, but it is unfair to solely point the finger at the PTDs without considering the entire process and the factors that influence the implementation of a policy. According to Awang, the MOH had previously clarified that the WBB shift system was developed by doctors for doctors, and was not unilaterally decided by the PTDs in Putrajaya.
Conclusion
As a conclusion, the PPTD urges all parties to better understand the policy-formulation process first before making statements that could mislead the public. The cooperation of all stakeholders, including medical officers and PTDs, is key in ensuring that any policy introduced truly benefits all parties without compromising the quality of the country’s public services.
FAQs
Q: What is the role of PTDs in policy development?
A: PTDs play a professional role, based on data, and take into account operational reality when formulating and implementing national policies.
Q: Is the WBB system a failure?
A: The WBB system was not a failure, but rather a pilot project that was shelved to make way for a more in-depth and comprehensive study.
Q: Who developed the WBB shift system?
A: The WBB shift system was developed by doctors for doctors, and was not unilaterally decided by the PTDs in Putrajaya.