The Finance Minister said this is crucial as the ministry is responsible for numerous development projects that involve the people’s interests.
“There must always be efforts to expedite projects. For example, someone may need a bridge to be completed in January, but if it is delayed to February, they (the people) suffer for a month. If it is postponed for another six months, they are in hardship; delayed by 10 months, it becomes a great hardship.
“Many infrastructure projects are under KKR. If you succeed, the development succeeds. Therefore, the ministry must list all projects — whether in the hundreds or possibly thousands nationwide. Ensure their performance records, don’t just wait until completion. If contractors remain lackadaisical and slow, we must take a firmer stance against them,” he said when addressing the monthly assembly of the ministry here today.
Also present were Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
Anwar also urged the ministry to continue conducting thorough monitoring and take immediate action should there be any obstacles that could delay the implementation of projects for the people.
“Monitor projects at the state government level continuously to ensure they are carried out according to schedule. Often, the officers on the ground have a better understanding of what is needed.
“That is also why we have implemented the Kampung Angkat Sejati MADANI programme, to ensure a close connection between the people and the leadership. This is a team effort. The Chief Secretary to the Government, the Director-General of the Public Service, and the secretaries-general must continually enhance performance over time,” he said.
The Prime Minister added that the people must feel the results of every development project, government action, and administrative effort, so that the effectiveness of project implementation cannot be questioned.
He also cited examples in Sabah, where several infrastructure projects in the state face issues, particularly involving water supply, electricity, and road facilities.
“We have just concluded the state election. As a human being, I understand their frustration — ministers change, governments change, even the prime minister changes — yet water supply remains unresolved, electricity as well, roads full of potholes, so they are anxious and not fully confident. I do not blame them.
“We have approved the largest allocation in history — a total of RM17 billion for development and operational expenditure in Sabah, nearly RM1 billion for water, RM1.2 billion for electricity — but it is still incomplete. We must understand their hardship; until it is completed, they feel marginalised,” he said.
-- BERNAMA
