Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today announced plans to form a special team tasked to speed up the implementation of government projects and examine reasons for delays.
In his speech at the Prime Minister’s Department’s monthly assembly here, Najib said this is one of two things the government will do to reduce wastage and optimise spending.
“I will create a small team which includes me, the deputy prime minister, Chief Secretary and several ministries to look into the delay of these projects. We will ask them why are their projects delayed and if the processes were difficult, we will have them reviewed."
A good move although it should have been done a long time ago.
My two sen is, implement only important projects for the public, reduce cost, get the right contractors and get away with the bureaucratic procedures.
Most important is to stop all 'direct nego' because it opens the door to corruption and nepotism. Also, appoint members of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to the special task team to monitor any elements of 'wrongdoing'.
All open tenders must be done correctly, observe transparency and avoid any influence by politicians or whatever parties having direct link with the 'power source' at any ministry or agency. In the past (and also still very much in practice), companies are free to get 'recommendation letters' from ministers, deputy ministers and even 'surat kuning' from any Palace.
We need the MACC to stamp out 'under table money', the kind of uncontrolled disease at the public sector, both by BN and the opposition governments.
Also, the habit of 'adding percentage' to ceiling price of certain projects 'to cover some people'. We cant deny it has happened and is still happening.
If we want a good governance, we should observe this issues and give it a due attention. I am just giving Najib and Pakatan governments some points of remedy, the same talking points at grassroot level over the past many, many years.
Sad that it fell on deaf ears all this while.
At this time of the economy, we should adhere to practicality and logic. The administrators must not go for austerity drive but ensure that the rakyat are not choked up with the spiraling cost of living.
Cut unnecessary expenditure...and win their heart!