SEREMBAN: Local authorities (PBT) nationwide will be empowered and transformed through the ‘PBT Di Hati Rakyat’ Plan, which underlines six key thrusts, Deputy Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Authority Minister Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique said.
The deputy minister said the plan, which would begin in May this year until 2018, was aimed at improving the quality of service, wellbeing and environmental sustainability.
She said the six key thrusts were Human Capital Development, Service Efficiency, Strengthening Financial Stability, People’s Wellbeing, PBT At Heart and Effective Communication, which comprised 267 programmes, including 11 of high impact.
“At this initial stage, we are organising a road show to table the ministry’s proposal to empower and transform 149 PBT at all states nationwide, with Negeri Sembilan being the first state in the list,” she told a press conference after briefing Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan about the plan here yesterday.
She said the briefing was aimed at getting feedback, opinion and input from the menteri besar and the state government about the proposed plan.
“This is because each plan proposed by the ministry needs strong support from state governments…as we all know that the PBT are under the state government’s jurisdiction,” she said.
Halimah said the most important agenda in the PBT transformation programme was the setting up of a PBT Service Commission which would enable PBT staff to be transferred from one local authority to another.
She said the plan was expected to be launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in May.
Meanwhile, Mohamad lauded the plan, saying that it would not only benefit the PBT, but also the people.
He said the roles of PBT were vital as they were very close to the community.
“In average, over 70 per cent of the population are living in PBT areas. So, the roles of PBT are very important because all problems and issues concerning people’s wellbeing are under the PBT’s responsibilities.
“This is also in line with the Negeri Sembilan government’s approach to offer service, rather than provide service,” he said. — Bernama