Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim calls for faster 13MP project delivery, with cost savings redirected to urgent health and education needs.
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has directed all ministries and implementing agencies to ensure development projects under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) are executed promptly and completed ahead of schedule.
He stated that project scopes with excessively large allocations must be reviewed by the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economy, and the relevant project-owning ministries. This reassessment aims to identify better implementation methods.
Any cost savings generated should be channelled to more urgent projects, particularly in the health and education sectors. Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, emphasised this financial prudence.
“I also stressed that the Federal Government and state governments must plan better and think more strategically about using suitable methods to resolve problems in development projects under the 13MP,” he said.
He provided an example, stating that infrastructure should be usable by year-end rather than waiting four more years for classroom needs. Anwar made these remarks in a Facebook post following a development briefing.
The briefing for the Kinta district in Perak was held during his working visit to Tambun. It was attended by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad and state executive councillors.
Discussions covered state interests, 13MP performance in Kinta, and community well-being reports. The MADANI Adopted School and Adopted Village programmes were also reviewed.
Anwar expressed gratitude that the Kinta district had no “sick” or stalled projects. He also called for improvements in the government’s information delivery strategy.
The Prime Minister wants the public to be more effectively informed of governmental successes. He noted many achievements in sectors like health, education, security, and agriculture.
“However, many still do not know or have not been informed of the existence of these infrastructure facilities, which involve large allocations, covering many sectors and areas,” he added.
Consequently, Anwar hopes all ministries and agencies, including the Communications Ministry, will publicise service delivery more widely. This effort aims to ensure the people are better aware of completed projects.
The Sun Malaysia
