Globalisation - an oppurtunity or
a threat?
Preparing the CiviL Service for
this eventuality
Globalisation is a looming phenomenon shrouding the world like an
invisible cloud.
It is a process that is pervasive, non discriminatory in its effects and
knowledge/technology driven. This is very true when we take into consoderation
how much our world has "shrunk" since information technology took its
place in the world.
In the recent forum on "Globalisation and the media" organised
by New Reality Megazine in Kuching, the concept was expored in detail
by participants comprising from the Media and the Government.
Although the forums was discussed in the context of its effect on the
local media, globalisation does effect the Civil Service as well.
Will our values and our cultures be eroded in the process?
How can the civil srvants prepare themselves for this eventuality?
What interdepent role can the Civil Service play in ensuring that globalisation
is an oppurtunity instead of a threat?
The fear that globalisation is a problem or threat is very real in Malaysia.
Events that took place in 1997 - the economic crisis that was responsible
for the near bankruptcies of government in Thailand and a collapse of
the Suhatro regime - is a nightmare to us and other emerging markets.
It is nightmare that has caused sufferings and miseries for a millions
of people.
It is nightmare that has instigates riots, anarchy, rapes and the total
collapse of system of law and order designed to protect the people.
Some perceived that globalisation is beneficial only to the superpowers
who play dominant role in the economic field.
There is this fear of being "Americanised" - an influence already seen
seeping into our society, thanks to the Internet, computers and of couse,
the make-believe world og Hollywood.
Globalisation may seem threating but its benefits are equally compelling.
What role can the civil servants play to combat the ill effects of this
phenomenon and turn it into an opportunity that will benefit Sarawak
and its people?
The Civil Servants re the frontliners, the mediator between the people
and the government, the counsellors, who solve the everyday and seemingly
trivial problems of the people, the authority that people look up to and
in some cases, more important that any high level politicians.
It is a privileged position, one that can never be underestimated when
it comes to its effectiveness as change agent.
The government is the state's biggest employer with about 60,000 civil
servants on its payroll and serving the community almost averywhere.
Its influence is enormous and its reach wide. A well oriented civil servant
is commited, hardworking and influential.
He is, in effect, an extension of the government and without his contribution.
the government wpuld be heavily handicapped.
Globalisation in its positive form, provides this orientation as it creates
a thirst for knowledge thus complimenting the government's effort to promote
continous learning among the civil servants.
Our Civil Service is fast becoming computer literate. The advent of information
Technology os apparent in most government departments.
The concepts of a paperless society or borderless world has been touted
as the trend of the new millennium.
Our government, thanks to the progressive and insighful vision of its
leaders has organised countless training, courses and workshops to ensure
a Civil Service that is knowledgeable and technology driven.
The internet is a rich source of indormation. One must knowhow to distinguish
the good apple from the rotten ones.
As change agents, the civil servants have an interdependent role in the
selective process of information.
Working hand in hand with the community leaders, the media and the private
sector, he or she must know what information should reach the people and
what should not.
Every country is unique. What works in one country may be detrimental
in another. Therefore, each civil servant must be objective and sensitive
to the needs of the community and its environment to preserve pease and
harmony.
Globalisation is a process that is the fast spreading its tentacles to
us. The civil servants must be aware of these chages and be able to adopt
and adapt just as quickly.
What is important is that civil servants must be able to distinguish the
good influence from the bad because only we know what will or won't work
in our society.
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One of the tools of information
technology
which makes globalisation
easier to achieve
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