Perak MB unveils his state govt agenda

IPOH: Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Saarani Mohamad (pic) has outlined five main thrusts that will be the main agenda for his state government this year.

Saarani said the five thrusts are stimulating a sustainable economy, strengthening the public delivery system, upholding social justice and poverty eradication, driving modernisation and digital culture and lastly, leading the sustainability of resources and the environment.

He said the government would look into new revenue-generating opportunities and will not introduce new taxes that could burden the people and industry players.

"We need to have easier ways to collect revenue, including giving discounts for arrears payment and waiving of penalties for late payment.

"(We will) review existing agreements or policies that could benefit the state and the people, especially in sectors involving land, water and forest resources," he said during his first-ever executive talk as the Mentri Besar.

The talk was held virtually for the first time on Monday (Feb 1).

Saarani replaced Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu as the Mentri Besar in December after the latter lost a confidence vote in the Perak state assembly.

"I also ask that the Centre of Investment (COI) be empowered so the state could be a conducive investment location, enabling the ease of doing business and fast-tracking investment applications."

Other measures, he said, included beefing up its enforcement to prevent illegal exploitation and the loss of revenue as well as optimising the usage of digital economy.

"We are also drawing up a state development blueprint that is expected to be launched in March," he added.

On improving the delivery system, Saarani said civil servants would need to change the way they work and their standard operating procedures (SOPs).

"We need to enable the respective agency and department heads to make immediate decisions when it comes to improving our service delivery system. We need to find ways on how our work administration can be eased with discretion, while not affecting our compliance with auditing rules or laws," he said.

"I urge that a special unit be set up to review all existing delivery system SOPs to ensure that these are still relevant and suitable in the new norm," he added.

Saarani also urged all state and federal department or agency heads to work together by sharing data to provide assistance to needy folk.

He said without proper coordination, some people would not get the aid they need while others would get help twice.

"We can no longer work in silos and need to put aside egos for the greater good and shared goals.

There needs to be coordination between agencies or else, problems will not be resolved and wastage will occur," he said.

He also said the digitisation of services was no longer an option but a necessity to improve its delivery system.

"We will need to focus on innovation and technology to implement a delivery system that is based on comprehensive data, which also allows data-driven and informed decision-making," he said.

Saarani said they would also ensure a balanced development through the preservation of the environment.

He said the state would welcome any cooperation with the private sector through Public Private Partnership on green technology initiatives.

These, he said, included projects on renewable energy and green initiatives for buildings, transportation and the city.