Civil servants to be evaluated using DEEP system starting this year

PETALING JAYA: A new key performance index (KPI) evaluation system will be introduced for all civil servants, says Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali.

The new Demerit Performance Evaluation (DEEP) system will see civil servants starting off with 100 marks at the start of the year and would be the marks deducted if they fail to carry out their duties.

“What is being done currently is that the KPI is evaluated only three days before the deadline at the end of the year with the Public Service Department saying that the officer would not get a pay rise if it is not done.

“The evaluation is then rushed in only three days although we can’t even recall what was accomplished by the officer over the past year, yet giving high marks of 95 or 94.

“We will do it differently this year and I propose that we start off with 100 marks and look at the demerit system where marks are deducted accordingly based on whether the officer had done what was asked of him,” he said when delivering his New Year 2024 address to civil servants on Tuesday (Feb 13).

He added that the new evaluation system would provide a more fair assessment of an officer’s performance and was not meant to penalise any party.

Mohd Zuki also announced that the Public Service Department, the Treasury, Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) and related agencies have been given a month to get back to him with a list of directives which could be improved or not those not in line with current times.

“It is difficult to accept that we are still relying on archaic regulations and directives which are not relevant for the times,” he added.

He said officers could not be at fault if they follow such directives or regulations as they are bound by them.

“I will be monitoring this personally and do not want to hear the excuse that officers are bound by such directives in the future,” he said.

Earlier, Mohd Zuki surprised the gathering when he fought back tears after choking up on emotions shortly after beginning his speech.

He had just cited several of the nation’s achievements which he attributed to the tireless effort of the civil service.

“Civil servants are synonymous with the saying that they are the unsung heroes whose contributions are not acknowledged.

“But when there are shortcomings, they become the target of blame,” he said.

He urged civil servants to disregard such assumptions and focus on carrying out what is entrusted to them for the betterment of the nation and rakyat.

He also called on all civil servants to give their undivided support to the madani government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.