PUTRAJAYA: Local councils must abandon their “business as usual” mindset and embrace artificial intelligence (AI) to slash red tape in serving ratepayers, says Nga Kor Ming (pic).
The Housing and Local Government Minister issued a wake-up call to local authorities (PBTs) nationwide, warning that a digital overhaul is needed to ensure Malaysia remains globally competitive for the next two decades.
“I propose that we review and improve our existing systems by focusing on digital transformation.
“In line with the ease of doing business agenda and our business direction for the next 20 years, this is critical for the civil service, especially PBTs, so that we remain competitive.”
Speaking at the ministry’s Excellence Appreciation Ceremony 2025 at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre yesterday, Nga said the government is actively rolling out the “AI at Work 2.0” initiative.
The programme equips civil servants with generative AI tools, such as Google Gemini, to automate tedious manual labour.
The first phase of AI at Work 2, introduced in Dec 2024, was a pilot to test AI integration in government workflows.
Nga said these tools will allow government officers to generate reports, analyse data and summarise documents at unprecedented speeds.
“This not only reduces manual workloads but also allows civil servants to focus on strategic tasks and resolve the people’s issues more effectively,” he added.
However, Nga stressed that technological upgrades must be paired with a radical mindset shift, urging civil servants to evolve into “global thinkers”.
He said the success of a nation is no longer determined solely by its resources, but by a workforce capable of anticipating global shifts in trade, technology and geopolitics.
“We can no longer work within a narrow scope or get too comfortable with routine approaches.
“We must understand local issues while remaining highly attuned to global developments so that every policy and decision boosts the nation’s competitiveness.”
Nga pointed out that Malaysia is currently in a prime position to attract foreign investment, citing the strengthening ringgit and recent recognition from JP Morgan, which named Malaysia one of the most resilient economies in Asia.
He added that sustaining this economic momentum requires civil servants at all levels to act swiftly and adapt to current demands.
At the event, Nga presented the Excellent Service Award to 441 ministry personnel for their performance in 2025.
While setting high-level targets, Nga said the ministry has not lost sight of grassroots issues, having successfully executed over 15,000 infrastructure upgrading projects this year.
These included improvements to public toilets, parks and roads, as well as enhancements to solid waste management and public cleanliness.
