Be bold enough to review decisions — PM

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PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak wants government agencies to exercise boldness in reviewing decisions and conditions made in the public interest to ensure effective implementation.

SPECIAL GATHERING: Najib (centre) with Husni (left) and Aziz at a special gathering of staff of the Finance Ministry. — Bernama photo

He said it might be felt that a decision was right when it was made but, with the imposition of conditions, there might be difficulty in implementation of plans or projects.

“What we have proposed in the 10th Malaysia Plan, Budget 2011 and other plans can be implemented, and when we know that something is not working, we must find out the reason.

“Perhaps there are weaknesses in the operating ministry or problems connected to land or failure of the contractor or the conditions imposed are too severe.

“As such, I feel we must have the boldness to change our earlier decisions,” said Najib, who is also the finance minister, when addressing a special gathering of staff of the Finance Ministry, here yesterday.

Also present at the event were Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah and Treasury Secretary-General Tan Sri Dr Wan Abdul Aziz Wan Abdullah.

Najib reminded the central agencies that every decision announced by the government was public knowledge. As such, he said, it was incumbent on every government agency to ensure that decisions were implemented.

“This is the government’s commitment to its promises … the government’s undertaking to the people.

“I feel we can make it work. Review (decisions or conditions made). Find out how best to implement,” he said. Najib said the government had outlined its agenda centred on various initiatives, such as the Government Transformation Programme (GTP), New Economic Model (NEM) and Strategic Research Initiatives (SRIs), and government agencies had to translate them to achieve the agenda.

The prime minister said civil servants had an important role to play by way of brainstorming and coming up with good ideas, and they had to undertake careful planning and action, and their decisions must be precise.

Najib said the finance ministry had set up an innovation unit which could realise the government’s desire to empower the innovative capability in civil servants to help raise quality, innovation and creativity.

He also said that in line with the desire of the government to step up energy efficiency in government buildings, the Treasury, the Royal Customs Complex, the Accountant-General’s Department and the Economic Planning Unit had been selected as pioneer agencies by the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry for the energy-saving programme. — Bernama