12MP review: Projects slow to start will be canned, says PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Approved projects, including those in the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), that do not start within a reasonable time will be cancelled, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

"This is to give way for projects for the rakyat which are more urgent," the Prime Minister said when tabling the 12th Malaysia Plan mid-term review in Parliament on Monday (Sept 11).

Anwar called on civil servants, including department heads, to execute their responsibilities honestly and with trustworthiness.

"This is to avoid repeat incidents of wrongdoing and warnings reported in the Auditor-General's Report," he said.

Anwar said that the government had so far spent 34% of the RM400bil allocation for 12MP since it was launched in 2021.

"In 2021, only RM64.3bil of development expenditure was spent while in 2022, the total was RM71.6bil," he said.

He added that an additional RM15bil would be channelled for 12MP, particularly to address issues such as dilapidated schools and clinics including for subsidies.

Anwar also told Parliament that a special monitoring committee will be set up to keep tabs on the implementation of projects under 12MP.

"Cabinet members and I will also monitor the implementation of 12MP projects so that the rakyat will be able to enjoy the benefits without any more delays," he added.

He said that targets set under the 12MP mid-term review would be part of the key performance indicator for ministries.