National development: Shamsul Azri delivering his New Year message at Dewan Seri Endon, Puspanitapuri, Putrajaya. — Bernama
14 ministries fail to meet targets, says chief secretary
PUTRAJAYA: Fourteen ministries failed to meet their targets in implementing physical development projects allocated last year, says Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
The Chief Secretary to the Government said expenditure on development projects by the ministries concerned stood at 87.91%, which is below the national average and warrants serious attention.
“I will call in the secretaries-general of these ministries, and this will have implications for their performance assessments.
“People-oriented projects such as road repairs, construction of schools, clinics and hospitals are being implemented, but at a slow pace, which explains why the achievement rate is only 87%.
“When allocations are provided but not fully utilised, it results in losses.
“These funds should have been used for other priority needs,” he told reporters after delivering his New Year message, Bernama reported.
Shamsul Azri said as of Dec 22 last year, a total of 9,578 development projects had been implemented nationwide, involving an allocation of RM83.06bil, with actual expenditure amounting to RM81.67bil.
This translated into a national average expenditure performance of 98.33% for development projects.
The Chief Secretary also asked the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and Finance Ministry (MOF) to boost integrity awareness courses for civil servants.
“We have requested the MACC to expand awareness courses, particularly in ministries, with secretaries-general being required to conduct awareness sessions for civil servants at all levels, from senior, mid and to lower tiers.
“I have also urged the MOF to organise awareness courses because financial matters are often not fully understood.
“This can lead to leakages and weaknesses in the system, and many integrity issues can damage and negatively impact public administration,” he added.
He also touched on the tarnished image of the civil service following several recent high-profile integrity cases.
“We must accept this bitter reality with full awareness and continue to improve ourselves, strengthen our resolve and carry out our duties with integrity.
“Integrity and trustworthiness are the fundamental foundations of the legitimacy and credibility of the civil service,” he said.
