THE retreat for state executive council members or Exco Awayday is an important method by the Johor government’s administration.
It is the culmination of the state government’s Performance Leadership Agenda.
All performances and reports we hear about at the retreat are a summary and compilation from the state executive councillor (exco) members, based on their key performance indicators (KPIs) for last year.
The event has two important goals. Firstly, it is a general platform for each exco member to share and table his performance in his portfolio.
Secondly, the Exco Awayday is a session to strengthen the synergy, collectiveness and cooperation among exco members, enforcers and public servants from the state and federal agencies, as well as state government-linked companies.
In line with the state government’s policy of inclusiveness and our transition to a digital government, the Exco Awayday was broadcast live through the FB Live function on my Facebook account.
I hope that those who followed the event on FB Live will receive clearer and correct information about the state government’s policies, plans and performance.
On May 14, it will be four years since I took on the responsibility and was given the mandate as Johor menteri besar.
I still remember May 2013, when my fellow exco members and I took our oath of office.
We reached a consensus that there were three challenges or concerns that needed prompt attention.
Firstly, like in many others states in Malaysia, there was racial sentiment that was made worse by political gimmick and polemic.
It was made worse with a populist approach that often made light of the issue and was used in politics as it did not give any priority to factual accuracy and consideration for its long-term effects.
As a remedy, we introduced the concept of Muafakat Johor (Johor concord or consensus) that was based on the motto Muafakat Itu Berkat (concord is a blessing).
This was complemented with the call for #Team Johor, which called for all parties to participate in efforts to make the state the best.
Secondly, like what is experienced by any of the world’s economies, Johor’s rapid development has brought challenges for the people, such as home ownership, jobs and the increase in cost of living.
Therefore, we should delve into these problems and understand them.
Thirdly, we realise that our frame of thought on policies and approach must be planned ahead for them to be fresh and suitable with the times.
More importantly, they must be based on the people’s needs.
The state government does not merely manage the state’s operations, it also plays the role of architect, catalyst and advocate to help realise the people’s potential.
The state government must find ways to identify the niche and needs of everyone in Johor.
We had also introduced the Johor Strategic Growth Plan, Skilled Johor Agenda, Johor Prishatin, Sustainable Johor, Johor Islami and Johor Entrepreneurship policies and other programmes, which are laid out in the Progressive Johor vision.
Alhamdulillah (praise be to God), within the last four years, all our efforts have produced encouraging results and brought returns.
The current progress is a result of the Performance Leadership Agenda.
At a similar ceremony last year, I explained in detail how the state government carried out the Performance Leadership Agenda.
Through the five measures which I explained before, the state government has ensured that each exco member has his respective KPI.
After 12 quarterly evaluations, nine executive councillors obtained a score of 86 per cent and above in 2014.
Seven of them were in the same score range in 2015, while seven obtained high scores last year.
This year, the scope of the Performance Leadership Agenda was expanded — the KPIs were imposed on several councils, corporations and Johor government-linked companies.
This second target group comprises nine organisations that play important roles as instruments of the state government’s development.
On April 25, we launched an evaluation system imposed on Johor’s senior government officers.
For a start, 57 department heads were tasked with drafting their official KPIs.
Those who will be evaluated in the system include the state financial officer, deputy state secretary for development and management, district officers, district land administrators and presidents.
I take this opportunity to congratulate and thank state secretary Datuk Azmi Rohani and other state officials for making this a success.
The writer is Johor menteri besar