Azman bin Mohd. Yusof

 

Deputy Secretary General (Strategic)

Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development

Malaysia

Public Policy Program (’99)

 

 

 

 

Please tell us about your career path so far. What is your area of specialization and how did you come to work in this area?

I have been working with the government sector for nearly 25 years. I have been designated to serve several government agencies including the Cabinet Division (Prime Minister Department); Policy Division (Ministry of Housing and Local Government); Public Service Department; Malaysian Modernization and Management Planning Unit (Prime Minister Department). Currently I am working at the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development. Since 1992, I have served as a Diplomatic and Administration Service (ADS) specialized in public policy after earning an Advanced Diploma in Public Management (1992), a requirement to become an ADS officer. Prior to that, I obtained a degree in Public Administration at West Texas State University, USA (1989).

 

You are currently working as Deputy Secretary General at the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development. What are your main responsibilities and duties?

As a Deputy Secretary General, I am responsible for strategic matters related to the target groups such as women, children, disabled people, elderly, disaster victims, and the poor as well as the family institution. These involve various activities including the formulation and review of several policies, creation of guidelines and designing a plan of action.

 

More specifically, my responsibilities include the following tasks and objectives:

• to increase the participation and active role of women, families and communities as contributors and beneficiaries of the country’s development;
• to preserve the rights of women, families and communities fairly and impartially without discrimination;
• to extend equal opportunities to women and society in the social, economic and political arena; and
• to strengthen the family institution.

 

In your current capacity, what do you see as the main opportunities and challenges for Malaysia over the course of the next five to ten years?

The next 5 years will be more challenging because, due to budget rationalization, the focus will be shifting more towards a transformation agenda and strategic collaboration with various parties such as community-based organizations and private sector actors besides government agencies. It is no longer business as usual. Hence, a lot of creative solutions and initiatives need to be introduced. The mindset of government officers and communities needs to be realigned according to the future transformation plan. For example, we need to shift from a welfare state to a more productive state in accordance with the sustainable development goals of the nation.

 

What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your work? And what have been the most interesting or rewarding aspects of your career thus far?

The big challenge in my work is to come up with creative ideas (thinking out of box approach) when facing various obstacles, while at the same time strengthening the team in the Ministry to accomplish the intended goal. Being lucky to have been working in several strategic positions, I have been rewarded to attend various top-level management programs such as Harvard Business School (Boston USA), INSEAD (Singapore), Mount Eliza Business School (Australia) and various management programs in Germany and Korea. Thanks to this, my level of competency has increased tremendously.

 

What led you to GRIPS? What was the most important thing you learned while here, and how has your experience at GRIPS/GSPS prepared you for future endeavours?

In 1997-1999, I obtained my master’s degree (Master in Public Policy) from GRIPS’ predecessor GSPS, as part of the government scholarship and career path program. Being exposed to many good practices especially in the field of Public Policy, my stay in Japan was a very good experience and provided me an opportunity to explore diversified practices that could be used as a model for other countries to excel in the implementation of good government policies.

 

How do you maintain a balance between your work and the rest of your life? And what is your favorite thing to do when you are not working?

In the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, a lot of programs and initiatives focus on work-life balance. This gives me an opportunity to divide my working and social life in an orderly manner. In fact, the working and social activities do complement because the real experience does attach with the surroundings. I love to travel a lot when I have free time. I normally plan for a vacation either overseas or locally to see and experience the different living styles among countries. So far, I have visited all ASEAN countries, some European countries and few states in US and Australia.

 

What are some of your fondest memories of your time spent at GRIPS/GSPS? And what do you miss about Japan?

There are many things that I miss about my time in GSPS. Of course, the good relationship among the academic and general staff and definitely the friendship among the international colleagues. With regard to Japan, the culture, the climate, the people and the environment are part of the things that I remember all the time. Everything in Japan is so convenient.

 

If you could give one piece of advice to anyone considering studying at GRIPS what would it be?

My advice to everyone who would like to continue studying in GRIPS – Go AHEAD, you won’t regret!!!

 

How would you like to maintain involved with the School? What do you expect from GRIPS as an alumnus?

I wish that the relationship with the school will continue forever. GRIPS will always be a bridge to connect alumni with current and future students and be a good reference for further networking.

 

Do you have any suggestions on how to further utilize the GRIPS alumni network?

In enhancing the network, GRIPS could establish various (short term) programs to bring former students together to participate in academic and non-academic activities.