(Sarawak Tribune; February 24th, 2005)

KUCHING - Universal service counters, a concept where work process-es of numerous units and agencies in the State are integrated, will be one of the key features in Sarawak's electronic government programme.

If implemented, Sarawak would be the first State in Malaysia to have such facility, said State Secretary Datuk Amar Haji Abdul Aziz Husain.

He added: "I hope to see one day, the public can walk into any State government offices, be it a ministry, department, resident or district office, local authority or statutory body and get any government services regardless of agencies or individuals in the government responsible for these services.

"For example, the public should be able to pay their government bills, apply for scholarships and loans, seek technical advice, apply for electricity, water and telephone connections and receive payments for services or supplies to the government in any government office.

"Why must the public apply for jobs only at the PSC (Public Service Commission) or make and receive payments only at the State Treasury Department?" Speaking at a gathering of State civil servants here yesterday, Aziz said ICT would be the foundation to provide real-time and online integration and coordination of the different work processes.

"Many work responsibilities and functions may need to be merged, consolidated, changed or eliminated. Rules and regulations pertaining to work, responsibilities and duties of agencies and personnel may be impacted" he said.

He said the State Information Communication and Technology Unit (ICTU) would undertake a study this year on all government services and come out with the design for the universal service counters. The study, he added, would also highlight the possibilities and issues in implementing such counters in all the State agencies.

Aziz also revealed that the State would be developing a master directory to provide a unified and centralized system to manage the identity of government employees.

The directory would be, implemented in the third quarter of this year, he added. He also disclosed that an electronic resident and district office project would be implemented at five pilot sites this year.”