A Diagnostic Approach to Performance Management: The Case of the Performance Management and Delivery Unit of Malaysia

Abstract

Previous performance management reforms in Malaysia reflected contemporary administrative reforms in the public services of developed countries. They applied across the public service with the view to modernizing public administration and improving public service delivery. The latest performance management reform in Malaysia, under the umbrella of the government transformation program (GTP), takes on a diagnostic or problem-solving approach to service delivery reform. This article uses a case study methodology to assess the implementation of the performance management system under the GTP.

Keywords:

• public sector
• performance management
• performance management and delivery unit
• institutional approach
• public policy

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This article profited immensely from the valued comments of Dr. William C. Rivenbark, School of Government, UNC at Chapel Hill, and an anonymous referee. I gratefully acknowledge their contributions.

Notes

¹ One other key result area that was added to these six was “Reduction in the Cost of Living.”

² In the 2008 general election, Barisan Nasional secured 50.3% of votes and 63.1% of seats in Parliament. The opposition coalition (Pakatan Rakyat) secured 46.8% of votes and 36.9% seats, thereby increasing its representation in Parliament from 22 to 82 of the 222 parliamentary seats.

³ Idris Jala, who had no political party affiliation, reported to Minister Koh Tsu Koon as his supervisor and chairman of PEMANDU.

⁴ In 2005 the role of PEMANDU was extended to initiate economic development under the Economic Transformation Plan. This article focuses on PEMANDU’s role in GTP.