PUTRAJAYA: Critical projects for flood mitigation and eliminating hardcore poverty must be expedited as they involve people's lives and well-being, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"I agree... that we must overhaul our approach, because floods cost lives and property. If we need to save funds from other expenses, we will; if borrowing is necessary, we will borrow.
"(We should not) adhere to five- or six-year projections (to implement such initiatives). We need to resolve these problems as quickly as possible,” he said at the Prime Minister's Department monthly assembly here Friday (Jan 3).
The Prime Minister urged the secretaries-general of all ministries to study these issues and take proactive measures by visiting the affected areas, to personally assess the problems faced by the people.
"Otherwise, the sec-gens will simply visit and note that the flood mitigation scheme in Rantau Panjang is complete in phase one, phase two is scheduled for 2026, and phase three is planned for 2029.
"Are the people of Rantau Panjang expected to wait for years? There’s no need to discuss the state's capacity – I don’t want to hear that. We must resolve this.
"Collaboration and change certainly require substantial financial resources, but if we must reduce allocations from other areas, we will, because the basic issues facing the people must be addressed,” he said. – Bernama
