KUALA LUMPUR – The government has identified only 30 projects worth RM100 million that have yet to commence and will be postponed, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.
During the Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today, Mustapa said the postponement only involves projects which have not been advertised and no preparations have been done.
However, the Jeli lawmaker said priority projects such as the Mass Rapid Transit Line, the Pan Borneo Highway, and East Coast Rail Link will continue.
“Only 30 projects, which involve the cost of RM100 million, will be postponed. It’s only a small amount.
“There will be an engagement session held by Economic Planning Unit, Finance Ministry, and Public Works Department with all the ministries to discuss measures, if need be, to ensure the well-being of the people.
“These are all works in progress. The engagement period will be continued next week,” he told the Dewan Rakyat, today.
He was responding to Fahmi Fadzil (Lembah Pantai-PH) who asked the government to explain its plans pertaining to the postponement and cancellation of projects.
He further clarified that the projects are postponed as part of the government’s bid to save costs, assuring that the postponement would only affect new projects and those that have not undergone procurement.
The austerity measures will also apply to new projects with issues, non-priority projects, and those with no immediate impact.
The government had recently announced several cost-cutting initiatives to help combat inflation and other economic problems. – The Vibes, July 21, 2022
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