MELAKA – The state government, through the Finance and Treasury Department, is finalising the initiatives that will be offered to the people in Melaka’s Budget 2023, which is expected to be tabled in the state assembly sitting in December.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali said that therefore, all heads of departments and agencies at the state and federal levels are asked to provide input and feedback regarding their respective allocations, to the state Finance and Treasury Department no later than three weeks before the tabling of the budget.
“All input or feedback obtained from each agency or department will be used to determine the amount of allocation or expenditure for development that we can spend in Budget 2023,” he told reporters after the state government monthly assembly here today.
Sulaiman said that in addition, all heads of state and federal departments and agencies, especially those who have direct contact with the public such as local authorities, are asked to resolve outstanding complaints from the people as soon as possible.
He added that any delay or failure to resolve complaints would give the people a negative perception of the state government, and could even be used as political capital by certain parties to blame the state government administration ahead of the 15th general election (GE15).
Sulaiman said the digital revolution in public service management, especially involving people's complaints, also enables every issue raised to be resolved more quickly and effectively.
“We have to give the best possible explanation for every complaint received...some are waiting for allocation, some are under study...it depends on the type of complaint submitted to the local authorities, the Irrigation and Drainage Department, or related agencies.
“If it’s a small matter in the existing budget, it’s better to resolve it immediately. All information that we have related to the complaints that are channelled must be informed to the complainants,” he said.
In the meantime, he hopes that the disaster management machinery at every level, especially the district disaster management committee, will always be ready to ensure that assistance to victims can be provided early and quickly.
Sulaiman said that the support of assets, human resources, and facilities in temporary relief centres also needs to be given attention, so that response and assistance to flood victims can be provided in an orderly and smooth manner. – Bernama, October 21, 2022
