'Use ICT in daily work'

CRUCIAL: Sabah civil servants urged to get IT savvy

KOTA KINABALU: Civil servants have been told to adopt and adapt information and communications technology (ICT) in their daily work to deliver efficient service to the people.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Yahya Hussin said that nowadays no one was able to avoid the use of ICT as it was widely applied in almost all fields.

"The users' ability to acquire information and to master the technology are the key determinants of successful management.

"The skill is essential in helping the nation to achieve its transformation plan to become a high-income and developed country," he said at the launch of his ministry's inaugural ICT talk here yesterday.

The one-day event covered topics on the significance of ICT in the government sector and was attended by personnel from departments and government-linked companies under the ministry.

Yahya, who is also agriculture and food industry minister, said the state government had been using ICT since 2000 for applications that involve human resources management and communications among government staff.

"The state Computer Services Department is constantly leading in the automation of office administration which helps to speed up government services.

"It has also provided continuous training for department heads and staff to keep them up to date on the technology application."

At present, almost 90 per cent of state government staff at all levels are using the technology.

He also urged Internet users to adhere to ICT security guidelines.