State Secretary Datuk Haji Abdul Aziz Haji Husain is optimistic that all the 117 government agencies in Sarawak will be accredited with MS ISO 9000 before September this year. “In line with this and in order to emphasize quality culture in the civil service, a fundamental programme would be implemented at the state level”, Datuk Aziz revealed at the Quality Management Presentation Ceremony for nine agencies accredited with MS ISO 9000, held at the Pustaka Ne-geri Sarawak auditorium recently

Tan Sri Dato Samsudin Osman, Chief Secretary to the Government and the Guest of Honour, presented the awards to the following agencies: Padawan Municipal Council, Sarawak Labour Depart-ment, Marudi District Council Baram, Universiti Teknologi Mara Sarawak, Dalat District Council Mukah, Department of Drainage and Irrigation Samarahan Division, Limbang District Council, Ministry of Planning and Resource Management and Sarawak Health Department.

To date, 34 government agencies in Sarawak have been accredited with MS ISO 9000, 38 are undergoing the audit stage, 13 the audit compliance stage while the rest are in the final stage of completion.

MS ISO 9000 helps in building a strong foundation for the implementation of total quality. The preparation process leads to understanding and cooperation of staff within the organisation. Document comprises the Quality Manual, work procedures, work structures and other supporting documents. Such documentation assists in ensuring that work is consistently performed.

The accreditation of MS ISO 9000 to a government agency means quality commitment within the organisation . “ The preparation process has become the exercise methodology leading to the cooperation and understanding among the staff in an organisation”, Dato Samsuddin said.

Tan Sri Dato Samsudin Osman, Chief Secretary to the Government; Datuk Haji Abdul Aziz Hj Husain, State Secretary; and En. Abang Affendi, Municipal Secretary of Padawan Municipal Council, at the “Majlis Penyampaian Sijil MS ISO 9000”