SINGAPORE: Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said greater citizen interest and engagement in how the government carries out its business should be welcomed, and public officers must adapt to a closer partnership with those they serve.
In his message to some 130,000 public officers to celebrate Public Service Week, Mr Teo, who is also Minister in charge of the Civil Service, urged public officers to continue to earn the trust of the public.
He said officers mark this year's Public Service Week in more challenging times.
Public
spotlight has been cast on service lapses and on public officers who
were convicted or are being investigated for alleged misconduct.
Mr
Teo said public expectations are rising, and there is more scrutiny of
the things done by public officers, how they do them and what they
achieve.
A first-class public service, he said, is not just
hard-working, efficient and effective, but is also humble and learns
from its shortcomings and always seeks to improve.
Mr Teo called on public officers to uphold the public service values of integrity, service and excellence.
On
integrity, he said public officers must perform their duties with the
highest standards of honesty and impartiality, without fear or favour.
Service
reminds public officers to work together with fellow citizens to
deliver better services and greater value, in a partnership of mutual
respect.
Excellence is the commitment to deliver greater value to Singapore and Singaporeans.
Mr
Teo said maintaining a clean and competent public service that is true
to its values is the key reason why Singapore's public officers can say
with pride that it is one of the most trusted and respected public
services in the world.
Started in 2008 as an annual event to
build in public officers a sense of pride and belonging to the public
service, Public Service Week reminds officers of the important role they
play in nation building and the need to serve with dedication and
commitment.
It is also a time to recognise the good work of
public officers and agencies, as well as members of the public who have
been helpful and made significant contributions as customers.
This year's celebration is themed "Serving the nation and proud of it".
There
will be a series of activities for public officers, which include
observance ceremonies, learning journeys, a tea reception at Istana and
an awards ceremony.
- CNA/cc