Idris jala managing director

The blizzard of statistics that Idris Jala has at his fingertips tells a story of rapid progress.

Pemandu associates

The GTP therefore aims to transform public-service delivery and ensure a high standard of living for all. The ETP is about enabling and unleashing greater private-sector initiative, with the government acting as a facilitator for the planned level of investments. Jala stresses that inclusivity is a clear driver for the reforms.

We want to include low-income households and rural people, and we are also now doing a lot more for women as well. The creation of a more balanced economy is crucial, he adds. We were able to reduce this to 29 percent last year. How did we do this? We have enabled other sectors to grow. Our services sector, in particular, has grown substantially.

Before his government service, Jala enjoyed a long career in the private sector, establishing a reputation as someone who could turn around unprofitable businesses. The biggest difference between the public and private sectors, he says, lies in the financial statement. If you ask for their priorities and check how they allocate their resources, then they are often completely flawed.

The awaydays, in particular, have proved very useful, he says. We also have an international panel review.