All government agencies have been urged to move away from working in silos and adopt a more inclusive, collaborative system instead to strengthen the country’s social development efforts.
Chief Secretary to the Government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said the outdated notion of certain agencies being “exclusive” must be abandoned as real strength lies in the ability of all parties to work together in synergy.
“In the face of increasingly complex social challenges, we can no longer operate in silos. We must shift from a culture of exclusive agencies to one of collaborative systems.
“This is the foundation for social strengthening, and true strength does not lie in who holds the most power, but in how far we can move forward together,” he said in his opening speech at the Social Synergy Congress 2025 here today.
Shamsul added that effective governance is built on a strong ethical and cultural foundation, cautioning against administrative processes that become hollow routines devoid of human values.
“Without noble values in governance, processes are merely empty routines, lacking soul and spirit. At the same time, a culture without a system risks leading our efforts astray.
“Therefore, culture and process must go hand in hand. We must combine the spirit of humanity with systematic efficiency. This is the true space for a better, more meaningful administration,” he said.
Citing eKasih figures, Shamsul revealed that as of Dec 31 last year, more than 390,000 heads of households had been categorised as poor, including nearly 1,800 who are hardcore poor.
He expressed confidence that the collaborative approach involving 117 agencies and 862 community leaders nationwide can ensure greater outreach and more effective assistance to those in need.
