The DEEP system’s first full evaluation will be completed in January, assessing ministry and department leadership effectiveness through quarterly monitoring.
PUTRAJAYA: The comprehensive evaluation of the Performance Demerit System (DEEP) for the civil service will be completed in January next year.
Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said the system introduced in January this year is monitored quarterly to measure ministry and department leadership effectiveness.
He explained that project implementation effectiveness takes a full year to assess properly.
“Therefore, scores cannot be given too early and can only be evaluated in the fourth quarter,” he said during a media engagement session.
Shamsul Azri emphasised that DEEP is not intended to punish department heads but to improve public service delivery quality.
“We must remember that the objective of this demerit system is not to punish, but to improve services for the people,” he said.
The system begins with 100 points where weaknesses result in deductions and good performance earns additional points.
Department heads showing poor performance will first receive advice and time to address shortcomings.
“But if they still cannot improve, I will have to transfer them to another place so they may perform better there,” he said.
The fully implemented system provides more progressive and fair evaluations conducted monthly rather than annually.
It offers more objective assessment as previous expenditure performance was influenced by Finance Ministry block allocations.
Shamsul Azri reminded civil servants to listen to grassroots feedback rather than assuming the government always knows best.
“We must listen to those on the ground and improve accordingly,” he said.
He highlighted that views from e-hailing drivers, taxi drivers and office assistants are equally important for policy improvement.
Civil servants must stay aware of public challenges and avoid becoming comfortable when making policy decisions.
“We must be able to feel the pulse of the people,” he said. – Bernama
