KUANTAN, July 6 — The federal and state governments and local authorities must update old practices to avoid delays in the approvals for new projects, which are essential to driving development in all areas, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar reminded all state secretaries to monitor the list of approved projects and update their statuses regularly.
“I have discussed with the state secretaries to remind them to always monitor the list of approved projects, how many are being implemented, and the reasons for delays,” he said at the launch of the Eastern Zone Madani Rakyat 2024 Programme at Dataran Sayangi Kuantan here today.
Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul, Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali.
Anwar cited as an example the establishment of the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, which was approved in just four months, demonstrating the readiness among the people, civil servants, and academics to do better.
“Local authorities and the state and federal governments must be efficient and quick, so progress can be rapid. If we are inefficient and slow, progress will be slow. The choice is ours,” said Anwar.
The Prime Minister said all levels of government must be more prepared before Malaysia takes over the 2025 Asean chairmanship, to demonstrate its capability to attract investments and tourism and ensure every state makes progress.
He cited Google’s investment of RM9.4 billion in Selangor as an example of impressive development resulting from the state’s quick approval process.
At the event, Anwar distributed funds under the SejaTi Madani programme to communities on the east coast, aimed at boosting economic activity in five focus sectors — agriculture and food, sewing and handicraft, herbs and health, tourism and hospitality, and green activities and recycling.
The Eastern Zone Madani Rakyat Programme is a continuation of the Madani Government One-Year Anniversary Programme, which has been expanded to the state level to allow the public to understand and evaluate new policies and initiatives by the federal government to improve the people’s well-being.
Organised by the Prime Minister’s Office under its Performance Acceleration and Coordination Unit, this programme was also held with strategic cooperation from the Rural and Regional Development Ministry and the Pahang government.
— Bernama
