KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 — Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil today said the government’s expenditure realignment exercise has achieved about 50 per cent of its target so far.

He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim informed the Cabinet that measures implemented across ministries based on current priorities had begun to show positive results.

“The prime minister also informed the Cabinet that expenditure realignment measures implemented across ministries based on current priorities had begun to show positive results without affecting service delivery or the implementation of ministry programmes.

“Priority continues to be given to strengthening frontline services, particularly in the healthcare, security and education sectors, to ensure the welfare of the people continues to be safeguarded,” he told a weekly press conference at the ministry here today.

Asked whether there was a detailed breakdown of savings achieved by each ministry under the exercise, Fahmi said no specific figures had been provided.

Separately, Fahmi said the Cabinet welcomed an initiative by the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) to conduct a survey aimed at identifying sector-specific challenges faced by industries and businesses among its members.

“The findings of the survey can help the government formulate and coordinate initiatives in a more strategic, focused and effective manner to ensure industry-related issues can be addressed comprehensively,” he said.

 Malay Mail – Malaysia