New Terminology of Government Office

I attended the Get Together with the Chief Minister of Selangor Session yesterday morning. More than 1000 people attended the function held in Civic Hall of Petaling Jaya. While many are happy for obtaining the land title with extended leasehold period and minimum premium payment, some were there to voice out their grievances about quality of urban services and land issues. I was attracted to the speech of the Chief Minister whom has highlighted new approaches on public services and governance system. He spoke about new terminology of government office.

The Government office shall be everywhere and at your pleasure any time regardless of place, time and whom you are. Presently, government servants attending to the office because the working files are left in the office and discussion to coordinate on inter-departmental agenda need to be done in the office simply because all equipments are there. With the advancement of ICT now, for example the introduction of tablet computer and smart phone, we can store our files and information digitally in the cloud; we can assess to information, be it worldwide or locally at our finger tips; and we can have video conferencing discussion with our smart phone connected with different parties. Are these all we need for servicing the people from our office? If yes, then what is the problem of not having a physical office?

If this is the case, why can't we apply management by walking about approach? It means go to the people and problems to solve it or at least to brainstorm the solution at source. This will not only expedite the problem solving process, but also bring the relationship between decision makers and beneficiaries closer and cordial. The chances for public-community confrontation, thus will be reduced.

I believe the virtual office system will be the way forward for many establishments and for Local Council, demanding for bigger and bigger office space is no more the way forwards.