REMINISCING THE VISITS OF FEDERAL LEADERS TO THE STATE: SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT

February 2001 was a special and auspicious month for the State as it coincided with the visits of federal leaders. The Chief Executive of the nation, the Right Honourable Prime Minister and the head of the country’s civil service, the Chief Secretary to the Government, were both present in Sarawak to officiate official functions. The Prime Minister, amongst his other activities, declared open the 1st Silicon wafer plant while the Chief Secretary chaired the Federal-State Liaison meeting.

To members of the civil service (state and federal), both visits were especially significant and beneficial. The occasions provided opportunities and vistas for face-to-face interactions. For example, there was a special dialogue held with the prime minister in which more than 600 officers and staff from all ministries, departments and agencies attended. Participants attending the dialogue include civil servants who came from outstations, be they serving at the divisional or district levels. One of the most reassuring messages made by the prime minister was about the contribution and professionalism of the country’s civil service in helping to bring about the development of the nation. In the same vein, the chief secretary’s visit provided yet another opportunity for the senior civil servants to meet and hear directly from the country’s head of the civil service on issues and matters of interest and concern.

Notwithstanding the pomp and splendour of our uniquely special Sarawak welcome and the various activities that accompanied the visits, Rakan Sarawak, looks deeper into the importance, significance and substance of the visits. In a federal system of government which is characterized by various hierarchies i.e. federal, state and local, and with their different and respective roles and functions, the visits clearly reiterated, symbolized and encapsulated the close rapport, co-operation and understanding that exist. It is recognized that these have been achieved as a result of the constant nurturing of and tireless contribution made by our political leaders and mandarins of the civil service. In parallel terms, it is also appropriate to talk of the excellent working relationship between policy formulators and policy executors. Beyond the normal exchange of letters, papers and phone calls, these visits enable face-to face contacts which almost always lead to better articulation and understanding of issues, problems and responses between the centre and the surrounding region.

It is also apt to mention the various fora and opportunities in which our federal system of government provides in order to facilitate and promote dialogues, idea exchanges and the spreading of goodwill at all levels. From an operational angle, one of the most visible areas in which constant dialogues were held is in the preparation and execution of the 5 - Year Development Plans (First Malaysia Plan right up to the Eighth Malaysia Plan). Not many developing countries have achieved quite the same experience as Malaysia has had when we talk about the preparation and execution of their development plans. The country’s development success and socio-economic transformation is a testimony of such uniqueness. Indeed it is significant to mention the patience and passion of all those involved in this exercise of planning and executing of development policies at all levels i.e. the federal, state and local levels.

For Sarawak, physical visits are unique challenges for policymakers and policy executors in view of the large size and geographical spread of the state comprising of divisions, districts and sub-districts. In this context, it is significant to mention the visit made by our Deputy Prime Minister to Limbang last year where a special itinerary to visit a rural school was included.

Apart from the significance of visits which have been mentioned, there is also the impact made by such visits i.e. direct impact, indirect impact and immediate impact. The direct and immediate impacts have been the instant follow-up and follow-through actions taken by departments and agencies involved. Meetings have been held amongst key agencies and players to resolve issues and problems that have surfaced during the dialogue sessions. Indirectly, our leaders have shown examples that their visits are indeed meaningful official excursions. Taking the cue from our leaders who have paved the way, heads of departments and agencies must take the initiative to make ground visits, including repeat visits, to their jurisdictional areas.

W. B. D.
Editor-In-Chief