KUALA LUMPUR: A panel of 28 experts from diverse backgrounds has been appointed to advise and provide suggestions to the Local Government Development Ministry for the crafting of policies and programmes that will be beneficial to the people.
Its Minister Nga Kor Ming said the appointment is a strategic initiative to gather the knowledge, experience and expertise of various parties to determine the best initiatives for the people.
“We have experts from institutions such as Khazanah Research Institute, House Buyers Association, Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (Rehda), Malaysian Bar, Bursa Malaysia, Architect Association of Malaysia, Association of Banks Malaysia, university professors and others,” he said after handing over the appointment letters to the panel members at JW Marriott Hotel here on Wednesday (March 22).
Nga hoped that the panel will provide suggestions and solutions to overcome issues and challenges.
The input given by the panel, he said, will be brought to the consideration of stakeholders to ensure that issues related to the ministry are resolved in a strategic and orderly manner.
He also hoped that the input provided could be adopted by the private sector as well.
“I also call on the ministry’s officers to take advantage of the panel members' expertise.
“Do not hesitate to pick their brains, get their suggestions and views on relevant issues,” he added.
Nga encouraged every division within the ministry to hold engagements with the panel, which held its first meeting on Wednesday (March 22).
Also on the panel are former Public Service Department director-general Tan Sri Khairul Adib Abd Rahman, Bursa Malaysia chairman and former minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar, Star Media Group advisor Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, senior lawyer and member of Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) Datuk Roger Tan, EcoWorld Development Group Bhd deputy president and deputy chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Seri Sundararajoo Somu, Think City managing director Hamdan Abdul Majeed, Perdana ParkCity Sdn Bhd CEO Datuk Joseph Lau and SL Ng and Associates CEO Datuk Ng Seing Liong.
On the sidelines of the event, Nga told reporters that the experts will serve on a pro-bono basis.
“I believe even though they came from various different backgrounds, each one of them have a common similarity which is their patriotism. This is a national service,” he said.
He encouraged the panel chaired by Khairul Adib to hold quarterly meetings.
“I believe with the service and advice that they provide, we will be able to craft policies which are comprehensive, viable, humane and ensure the wellbeing of the people and country,” he added.
