Higher Education Minister calls for cultural shift from policy planning to implementation with clear accountability and measurable outcomes.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia must evolve from a culture of “planning excellence” to one of “delivering excellence” to ensure national policies translate into tangible results for the people.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said the country has never been short of well-crafted visions and strategic blueprints but often falls short on effective implementation.
“I was told that we are one of the best countries in terms of coming up with the best blueprint,” he said in his opening speech at the International Conference on Public Policy and Leadership 2025 at Universiti Malaya.
“Yet, if we are honest with ourselves, we must ask: why is it that, although we plan well, we often fall short when it comes to implementation and outcomes?”
He noted that many promising policies stall somewhere between Cabinet approval and community impact.
The three-day conference, themed “Megatrends and Future Directions in Public Policy, Leadership and Sustainable Development,” brings together policymakers, scholars and industry leaders.
Zambry called for a fundamental cultural shift towards a “delivery mindset” focused on managing initiatives to completion with clear accountability.
He stressed the need to shift from policy announcements to disciplined project management with measurable outcomes, timelines and reporting routines.
The minister also emphasised breaking free from working in silos in favour of shared accountability among agencies.
Also present were Universiti Malaya Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Ir Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman and PEMANDU Associates president Datuk Seri Idris Jala.
In his keynote address, Idris discussed public policy implications of global trends including ageing populations, debt crises and artificial intelligence regulations.
During the question-and-answer session, he said the public must be educated on using AI responsibly and avoiding misuse. – Bernama
