PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and Singapore are exploring strategic cooperation in three main areas, namely govtech, public housing and public sector reform, to strengthen public service delivery.

Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said these were the main areas of collaboration identified during his three-day official working visit to Singapore beginning Friday (July 18).

“We want to learn from Singapore. Firstly, in regard to govtech, as they have already implemented it, while we are in the process of launching our own.

“Secondly, their affordable housing through the Singapore Housing Board. And thirdly, we want to learn about reforms in the public service,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters after launching the Sports Carnival of the Alumni Association of MRSM Malaysia here on Sunday (July 20).

Shamsul Azri said Singapore welcomed the cooperation and exchange of best practices between the two countries to improve the quality of public service.

“Singapore welcomed our proposals… we also had sessions with them to discuss strategic cooperation between the Malaysian government and the Singaporean government,” he added.

Earlier, in his speech, he urged Malaysians to adopt a healthy lifestyle through sports and good nutrition.

Citing Singapore as an example, he said their average life expectancy is 84 years, compared to about 73 to 74 years in Malaysia.

“We must remember that prevention is better than cure. To care is better than to cure,” he said. – Bernama