The Association of Wives of Civil Servants and Women Civil Servants (Puspanita) needs to help raise the effectiveness of the public service delivery system in countering negative perceptions about the government.

The wife of the prime minister, Rosmah Mansor, said they should also disseminate wide the policies and aspirations of the government directly to the people.

She said the public service sector was now facing the reality where the main thrust was delivering value-added services to the public.

"As the only association whose members are civil servants and government policy implementors, the important thing is loyalty and seriousness in understanding and upholding the government's aspirations.

"And always standing strong as the backbone of the administration in whatever situation or what the obstacles are in good or bad times, in implementing the policies that have been decided upon," she said in her speech when opening the 34th Puspanita delegates general meeting at Puspanitapuri in Putrajaya today.

Rosmah said she viewed Puspanita as playing an effective role as a strategic partner in the various ministries and agencies, and with the corporate sector and non-governmental organisations.

"I believe that with such an approach, Puspanita could move and contribute to economic prosperity and social wellbeing, thus promoting women's role and contributions to national development.

“With over 80,000 members nationwide, I am also confident that Puspanita can play an important role in fostering unity and harmony in view of the country currently facing various political and economic challenges."

Hence, she suggested that Puspanita widen cooperation or its strategic networking with various parties for the success of any programme as "unity is a great strength".

- Bernama