KUALA LUMPUR — The cabinet will hold a retreat soon, the third under this administration, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The session will evaluate its progress to date and also serve as an opportunity for ministers to address weaknesses within the current administration.
“There is a level of seriousness that must be heightened within the Cabinet, and I believe this retreat should extend beyond that, to be followed by the secretaries-general of ministries and directors-general,” Bernama reported him saying at the monthly assembly of the Prime Minister’s Department in Putrajaya, today.
Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
Anwar’s first and second retreat sessions with the Cabinet were held in January 2023 and 2024, respectively.
Anwar’s first address to ministry staff for the new year today also emphasised swift delivery of projects meant to help the people.
He said hardcore poverty and flood mitigation are among urgent issues that must be resolved immediately.
The prime minister said to that end, the government was willing to revise timeframes of certain projects that are urgent.
“I agree with the discussion 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.
“All urgent initiatives, such as those addressing hardcore poverty and flood mitigation, must be expedited, and not adhere to the five or six-year projections. We need to resolve these problems as quickly as possible.”
He also said he did not want to hear state government complain about whether they had the capacity to complete projects or not, urging the secretaries-general of all ministries to study pressing issues, including taking proactive measures by visiting the affected areas, to personally monitor the problems faced by the people.
“Otherwise, the KSU 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 15 years for completion? There’s no need to discuss the state’s capacity – I don’t want to hear that. What I know is we must resolve this.”
Anwar also said civil servants and the people can be proud of that the Madani government conducted tender processes transparently and had no major scandals. – January 3, 2025