PONTIAN: District officers nationwide must submit a comprehensive report on the implementation of small-scale federal projects in their respective areas within a month, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said the district-level reports are crucial to ensuring that small federal projects benefiting the rakyat are completed on schedule and not left unattended.
“This will be a priority from January onwards.
“We will ensure that all districts focus on addressing even the smallest problems faced by the people,” he said in his speech during the ground-breaking ceremony of Pontian Hospital’s new building yesterday.
Anwar noted that while mega projects often capture public attention, the rakyat place greater value on basic improvements.
“People like announcements of mega projects but they are happier when drains are repaired, roads are patched and surau upgraded,” he said.
Anwar added that he drew inspiration from former prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, who was known for frequently going on the ground to understand local issues.
“That is what I am doing now because the people judge us not only on big policies such as energy transition or digital transformation.
“Yes, those are important, but the people also judge us by the condition of their children at home and the plight of the poor in the villages.
“That is what we must try to resolve,” he said.
He added that it would be embarrassing if the nation, which has made significant progress and achieved many successes, could not eradicate hardcore poverty.
Anwar also took the opportunity to congratulate the Pontian district office for successfully eradicating hardcore poverty in the district.
On the additional block for Pontian Hospital, Anwar said the project must be expedited and placed under a fast-track mechanism by the Health Ministry.
“I hope this project can be accelerated.
“While it must go through a tender, it needs to move faster than usual.
“If it is delayed, the director-general will have to answer to me,” he added.
Operating since 1929, Pontian Hospital serves residents in Pontian and surrounding areas, including Benut and Kukup.
A total of RM400mil has been allocated to upgrade the hospital, which involves the construction of a new hospital block with an additional capacity of 110 beds, a multistorey car park, Class F quarters for healthcare workers, as well as a mechanical and electrical block.
The project is expected to be fully completed by Jan 4, 2032.
Meanwhile, during an earlier closed-door gathering with Johor PKR grassroots leaders and members, Anwar urged them to work harder and intensify their efforts to strengthen the party.
Anwar, who is also the PKR president, reminded members to use internal party channels to air their views and grievances.
Earlier, when asked about former Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin’s status as Opposition Leader following his sacking from the party, Anwar did not comment on the matter, only saying: “Leave them to continue fighting” (biarkan mereka bergaduh).
