KUALA LUMPUR, February 23, 2025 – The Minister of Home Affairs, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, emphasized that the top priority of the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) is to ensure the efficient and swift execution of tasks related to the ministry’s core responsibilities.
He made these remarks while delivering a speech at the KDN Strategic Planning Meeting today, in the presence of the ministry’s management team.
According to him, two days ago, he participated in a closed-door retreat with the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and the Cabinet at the Petronas Training Center for two days and nights.During that session, the Prime Minister conveyed a critical message emphasizing the need to accelerate the pace of change implementation at all levels.
“Overall, the Prime Minister believes that after two years, we are on the right track and moving in the right direction. However, the main challenge is the pace of change implementation, which still needs to be sped up. Policies and strategies are solid, but their execution must be faster,” said Saifuddin.
He added that KDN’s current task is to identify the causes of delays in policy implementation and find immediate solutions. For example, the successful amendment of the Constitution is a major achievement, but subsequent tasks such as reviewing Acts, citizenship regulations, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) need to be accelerated to ensure policies are effectively translated into action.Saifuddin also highlighted the Prime Minister’s emphasis on the importance of “humility” or humility in leadership.
“We need to be open to criticism and address our weaknesses for the benefit of the nation,” he said.
Saifuddin stressed that all efforts to develop policies would be futile if undermined by integrity issues.
“Every individual in the ministry is responsible for ensuring our actions are clean and transparent,” he stated.
He also shared an experience of receiving criticism from members of the General Operations Force (PGA) in Sungai Golok regarding inadequate facilities.
“I wasn’t upset; instead, I returned there and demonstrated my commitment by upgrading their facilities. This is an example of how criticism can serve as a catalyst for positive change,” he added.
Saifuddin further emphasized the importance of adopting new technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), in KDN’s operations.
“We have already begun taking steps with AI applications, including in immigration autogates and facial recognition at borders. If we don’t adapt to AI now, we won’t just fall behind by three months, but possibly 30 years,” he asserted.
He informed that KDN will accelerate AI training and skill development among officers and personnel to ensure the ministry remains relevant and high-performing.
“With the commitment and dedication of all parties, I am confident that KDN will continue to be a ministry that benefits the people and the nation,” he said.
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