Changing the mindsets of people in an organisation where inefficiency and malaise are deep-rooted depends on the boss man himself. Especially so, when it involves about 1.2 million employees, many of whom, at some time or the other, worked according to their own set of rules.

Therefore, when a new boss arrives intent at changing work culture and introducing measures to enhance delivery, it's always an uphill task. Against such a background, Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan, who just completed his first year as the Chief Secretary to the government, must have done a superb job.

The public may not have heard of the "perform or face the music" rule, but those in the civil service can confirm that heads have rolled and will continue to roll for failure to measure up to what is expected of them.

Yesterday, Mohd Sidek, in a two-hour briefing for the media did not exactly outline his accomplishments, but gave an insight into how the civil service is shaping up and how the fear of being demoted or sent to Siberia is working.

In the process, he revealed some startling facts, including the demotion of senior officers – including those in Superscale grades and occupying the position of director-general.

But he does not believe in the public lynching of wrong-doers. On the contrary, he argues that most civil servants learn of punitive action on their colleagues and superiors through the civil service grapevine.

But alluding to arguments that such action cannot remain the exclusive domain of the civil service, Mohd Sidek said that if need be, a "name and shame" list would be made public, but that assurance came with a caveat – it will not be at the expense of the government being sued for defamation. A valid and justified point indeed.

For years, the public was of the view that the civil service can do no wrong, and even if it does, it is immune from action, punitive or otherwise. That perception will change but how long it will take will depend on how the civil service embraces the work culture that Mohd Sidek is promoting.

But things are already happening as he makes his rounds to the various departments and agencies. The Land Offices in Selangor will clear all backlog of files by the end of the year. A written undertaking was given to the media on Thursday in the form of a release, after Mohd Sidek had a pow-pow with District Officers and heads of government departments in Shah Alam.

So, if it is not done, can we expect a new state secretary or a new director of lands and mines? No commitment from the boss man but he chose to add: "They gave the undertaking and they have to deliver."

But there's one person who will not have a happy weekend holiday which starts tomorrow and that's because he or she was responsible for closing the payment counter at the Sepang Land Office 10 minutes earlier than the stipulated time. Action was taken against this person, but Mohd Sidek did not specify.

So, be assured that if the signboard says that counter will be open until 4pm, it will not close a minute earlier. And by the way, the payment counter at the Sepang Land Office is now open even during the lunch break.

So, can we expect better counter service and less red-tape? If Mohd Sidek had his way, he would have wanted it implemented yesterday. But those who have walked along crooked paths and were never questioned are now compelled to make an about-turn. If they don't, they will end up as misfits in a productivity-driven establishment.