PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reminded all government departments that he wants monthly reports on the scope of their duties and progress of projects to be submitted to his office.
This is in view of the many objectives which the national unity government hopes to achieve in the coming months, said Anwar.
Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said that the various ministries need to particularly understand the need to reduce the gap between the poor and the wealthy.
"For this to happen, the government machinery needs to be deployed to overcome the barriers, (including) the general divide between the rich and the poor in urban and rural settings. We need our agencies to monitor this to their best," said Anwar.
He was speaking at a forum on empowering youths in the digital age at the Seberang Prai Polytechnic in Bukit Mertajam, Penang.
The event was organised by the state Bumiputra Development Council.
Anwar cited the differences in digital literacy opportunities between those who have the resources to access the latest in technology offerings and the poor who do not have such resources.
This is where the government agencies have a crucial role in helping to bridge such divides, and there is a need for them to reflect on the progress achieved, said Anwar.
Anwar also said that an audit by the Education Ministry last year revealed that there were 8,300 washrooms in schools which were in poor working conditions.
"We have since upgraded and repaired all of them. We cannot accept that our students do not have proper washroom facilities in their respective schools,” he said.
He also touched on one of this year's biggest agenda among the government departments, which is to upgrade the dilapidated quarters of uniformed personnel and teachers.
"We want the quarters and hostels offered to our civil service – from teachers to the police, military and other enforcement agencies – to be in the best condition."
Fight graft notwithstanding age, status
Anwar earlier launched a special sales event at the Food Valley in Bandar Perda. Food items were sold at affordable rates with most being cheaper than the market price.
Addressing the attendees here, he insisted that he will not tolerate the scourge of corruption in the country.
"The fight against corruption has nothing to do with any personal vengeance but it is to free the nation from the shackles of corruption without any reference to age or social status," he said.
The issue of one’s age and social status should not be cited as an excuse to condone corruption or abuse of power, he said.
Later when opening a new mosque called the Mesjid Jamek Tu Tengah in Berapit, Anwar assured that the special committee to study the competency of state assemblies to legislate Syariah enactments will adopt an open policy, which includes engaging with all political parties.
He said the committee will take into account all views before drawing its recommendations on the matter.
Anwar later officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony of the 251ha Batu Kawan Free Industrial Park III developed by the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) near Byram Estate.
PDC will also develop the Bandar Cassia Technology Park (154ha) and the South Penang Science Park (70ha). – The Vibes, February 16, 2024.
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