Fortnightly reports
on projects
30/04/1999 NST
KUALA LUMPUR, Thurs. - In ensuring speedy completion of Government
projects ranging from rural roads and bridges to low-cost houses, State Governments,
ministries and agencies are now required to submit fortnightly progress reports.
They are to be handed over to the Implementation and Co-ordination Unit in the
Prime Minister's Department. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad
Badawi said today this new requirement would give the Government up-to-date
data on project implementation.
"These projects are meant for the people and we don't want any unnecessary delays
or bureaucratic hassle," he told reporters after launching Putra Permai Township's
information technology centre and home page in Seri Kembangan.
He said the National Economic Action Council, too, would monitor the progress
rate. He added that the NEAC chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir
Mohamad has the capacity to scrutinise the fortnightly progress reports as it
meets daily.
Abdullah had said in January that the Government wanted development projects
meant to improve livelihood of the people to be implemented without delay and
that a committee headed by him had been formed for the purpose.
On housing, he said the NEAC decided today that the building of low and medium-cost
homes should be further expedited. In his speech, Abdullah said the Government
had allocated an additional RM600 million for public low-cost housing which
highlighted the continued emphasis on the well-being of the poor and low-income
earners.
He said 35,000 units of low-cost homes would be built as part of a squatter
relocation programme and 15,000 more for the hardcore poor in rural areas. Overall,
90,032 units or 45 per cent of the targeted number of low-cost houses have been
completed with the public sector contributing 26,774 units.
He said with the establishment of the Syarikat Perumahan
Negara Berhad (SPNB) in 1997 with a Rm2-billion revolving capital,
more houses costing RM150,000 and below would be built. As at last October,
SPNB had approved RM733 million in bridging loans to build 50,725 units of homes
which 13,644 units were low-cost, 13,482 units medium-low and 35,599 units medium
cost, he added.
As for Putra Permai, it offers 1,500 units of low and medium-cost houses which
will be completed 10 months ahead of schedule. Abdullah alluded to the sale
of 90 per cent of the homes so far, saying this was a sign that the economy
was recovering. "The people retain the purchasing power although we have been
hit by an economic crisis for almost two years," he said.
At the same time, banks are still unable to fund housing projects while the
developers have the capability to complete them ahead of schedule, Abdullah
added
Last Saturday, First Minister Tun Daim Zainuddin had hit out at irresponsible
housing developers who look to quick profit gains instead of improving the quality
of life.
"I hope Malaysians wake up and be vocal about irresponsible housing developers,"
Daim said. Daim added that housing developers should not shirk from their responsibility
to the people. "Consumers should boycott developers who cheat and those who
cheat should be punished," he added.
In Ipoh, Abdullah called on Government departments and statutory bodies to make
prompt payments to contractors who have completed their jobs. He said these
contractors needed the money as they had other obligations to fulfill.
"Payments must be made as soon as possible after the work have been completed.
If not, there will be speculation why cheques were not issued when there are
allocations," he told reporters after a 45-minute meeting with State, Federal
and statutory department heads at the State Operations Room in Bangunan Perak
this evening.
Also present was Menteri Besar Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib. Abdulllah said such
accusations would be bad for the image of the officers concerned and the Government.
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