Its minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said public servants were more prone to criticism now compared to 20 years ago as the public had higher expectations.

“This is not easy to achieve but if we are serious in extending quality service to the public and have a clear conscience, we will get good results,” he said yesterday.

Ong said very often, the public was quick to point fingers at firemen when they arrived late at the scene of a fire.

“They always say that because the firemen were late, the property is destroyed.

“But they never say that 99% of the property was salvaged because of the firemen,” he said when addressing the staff during the ministry’s Quality Day celebrations.

Ong advised his staff be proactive and to work on their weaknesses.

On bureaucracy and red tape in government departments, Ong said there was still much to be done.

“Under my ministry, we have taken steps to enable easier housing application procedures for the public,” he said.

The Minister’s Quality Award went to the Fire and rescue Department as it had won a bronze medal from the Commonwealth Association for Public Administration Conference in South Africa recently for its Special Programme on International Innovation.

This programme depicted the department’s Rapid Intervention Motorcycle Unit, where firemen use motorcycles when carrying out their duties.

Later in Rawang, Ong called for residential areas to be self-sustaining environments.

This was important for residents to have a comprehensive range of amenities and facilities at their disposal, he told reporters after handing over Certificates of Fitness to houseowners in Bandar Tasik Puteri as well as launching the new sales office for Asia Pacifici. Land Berhad and Rawang Lakes Sdn Bhd.