Transforming Public Service Delivery in Malaysia: The Case of the Implementation of E Government in Local Governments

1. INTRODUCTIONE government provides many benefits to public administration. It reduces the wide gap in public interaction with the government and shortens the application process for varied licences, permits and approvals. With the installation of intelligent and systematic electronic databases at agencies, e government makes government administration more cost effective and public service delivery more efficient and effective (Razlini Mohd Ramli, 2012; Rustam Khairi, Raja Noriza, Nurhawani Norzailawati, 2014) In addition, Schuppan (2009) suggests e government as an essential reform for the government. This is because e government can greatly simplify and speed up government activities and service delivery. Turner and Hulme (1997) too consider that e government can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the public service delivery mechanism. Such benefits are especially so at the local government level.Advances in ICTs are undoubtedly making local authorities increasingly knowledge based in the execution of their development functions (Baum, Yigitcanlar, Mahizhnan, A 2) Smart Schools; 3) Telehealth; 4) Research and Development Clusters; 4) Electronic Business and 4) Technopreneur Development.This paper discusses the concept, roles and implementation prospects of e government in local authorities. These issues are assessed against current international practices. Specifically, the objectives of this study are as follows: To study the implementation of e government in Malaysia's local government and To determine the current implementation issues bedevilling e government intervention in the local government system and identify policy interventions for a speedier implementation progress.2. RESEARCH METHODAn empirical investigation was conducted through 50 semi structured interviews with the management of selected local authorities representing city halls (the largest of the local authorities) town councils (medium sized) and district councils (smallest) across the country, related state and national agencies and the public, including businesses. These interviews were to assess the progress of implementation of e government at this third tier of government.These interviews were conducted confidentially on the basis that views expressed will not be attributable to a particular respondent. Notes were taken and transcribed immediately after the interview. Even though this procedure had the disadvantage of not being completely faithful to the exact words spoken by the respondents, it afforded a more relaxed environment for the interviewees to express their views (Walsham, 1995).The research relied on secondary sources to supplement data gathered from the interviews to obtain an understanding of the implementation of e government nationally and at the local level. Observational data, informal conversations and review of related documentation further supplemented the interviews. Following this process, findings were generated on the key implementation tasks for successful implementation of e government in especially in local authorities.