PUTRAJAYA: Infrastructure projects such as repairs of dilapidated schools currently under the Public Works Department’s (JKR) supervision will be undertaken by other departments or the district office, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“I have discussed with Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi that repairs to dilapidated schools, clinics and toilets should no longer burden JKR, which has a huge responsibility.
“It will be transferred to other departments or district offices,” he said in his speech at the June assembly for Prime Minister’s Department staff yesterday.
JKR is responsible for implementing development projects and maintaining infrastructure for various ministries, departments, statutory bodies and state governments such as roads, buildings, airports, ports and jetties.
JKR is also tasked with supervising minor infrastructure and public amenity projects involving cleaning drains, tarring roads and repairing federal projects.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said although major infrastructure projects involving highways and flood mitigation were important, the people also expect issues concerning school toilets, drains outside their houses and mosque fencing to be resolved.“This includes extending assistance like STR (sumbangan tunai Rahmah), eKasih and the like; that is why I have directed it be sped up,” he said, adding that he planned to meet with district officers next week regarding the implementation of minor infrastructure projects.
He also wants all projects for the people decided on and announced to be implemented quickly adding that he had conveyed this to the Cabinet, the Finance Ministry and the chief secretary to the government.
Anwar also reminded all heads of department to monitor the progress of projects announced by the government.
“I want all departments look at what has been approved, what has been implemented or not implemented, whether allocations have reached them and what has been assigned to other ministries,” he added.
He also said that the culture of “musyawarah” (deliberation) was crucial to giving space and opportunity to civil servants to express their views when formulating the country’s direction.
He said the voice of civil servants was crucial to making any deliberation more meaningful and effective.
He said listening to others’ helped him make decisions.
“I attended many meetings and said there must be a spirit (of deliberation). I want to expand it so that heads of departments and officers who specialise in the respective areas are ready to give their views,” he said, in a Bernama report.
He said the Madani concept, introduced in January, did not prevent civil servants from discussing and speaking out.
The culture of deliberation and speaking out is also contained in the Quran.
On the manner of making deliberations, Anwar said every question or dispute on a matter that had been decided needed to be dealt with wisely — do not to be too quick to pass judgment.
He said whether a person’s view was correct or not, the speed of passing judgment would only prevent discussion from taking place.
