Policy Address

Aims

32. Establishing the HoD Accountability System has the following primary aims:

  1. To render the political accountability required of Secretaries of Department and Directors of Bureau in policy formulation, and the administrative accountability required of civil servants in implementing policy initiatives better articulated with each other, with clarification of their respective roles.

  2. To drive HoDs to establish an effective management team and operating systems, eliminating bottlenecks and plugging shortfalls, improving workflow on an ongoing basis, and continuously enhancing departmental efficiency.

  3. To identify the deficiencies whenever a problem occurs in a department, putting in place improvements, attributing responsibility to the appropriate parties, and taking administrative or disciplinary actions against those responsible in accordance with the civil service management regime. The consequences include warnings, reprimands, not being granted a salary increment, relegation in rank, reduction in salary, compulsory retirement and even dismissal.

The Investigation Mechanism

33. Investigations will be divided into two tiers, in accordance with the severity of the problems identified:

  1. Tier I: if the problems are of a general nature, the investigation should be taken up by the HoD concerned. They will be responsible for identifying the deficiencies of the department and putting in place improvements, taking forward administrative or disciplinary actions against the officers who have underperformed or engaged in misconduct in accordance with the civil service management regime.

  2. Tier II: if a serious problem occurs in a department or the problem is widespread or a repetitive, systemic one, or there are indications that the HoD concerned is implicated in the problem, the investigation will be carried out by an investigation panel set up specifically under the HoD Accountability System. The panel will identify the deficiencies of the department and attribute responsibility to the appropriate parties. It should be independent from the Government, such that the investigation will be impartial and independent. It should be able to examine civil servants of all ranks to ensure that the investigation is thorough. It should be familiar with the general operation of the Government, to ensure that the investigation is completed efficiently. It should be a standing team to be called upon, ensuring its certainty and readiness.