Govt Constantly Evaluates, Improves project Implementation -- Lim

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 17 (Bernama) -- The government is constantly evaluating and improving the implementation of government projects, including the public-private partnership projects, said Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying.

Lim said this is to ensure that the projects remain viable financing instruments without putting pressure on the country’s fiscal position in the long term.

In this regard, she said only strategic projects with a high impact on the economy and people's well-being are considered in line with government policy priorities. 

“The government is also strengthening monitoring and reporting mechanisms to ensure transparency in concession agreements and avoid uncontrolled contingent liability risks. 

“In this respect, the Public Finance and Fiscal Responsibility Act 2023 functions as the main framework to ensure fiscal discipline, including controlling the level of government debts and liabilities,” she said in the Dewan Rakyat today. 

Lim was replying to a supplementary question from Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah (BN-Paya Besar) on whether the government is considering implementing public-to-public partnerships for large infrastructure projects. 

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She said the government also measures the monitoring of fiscal risks and liabilities through platforms such as the fiscal risk and liability committee, chaired by Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, and the fiscal policy committee, chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. 

“This mechanism ensures that any application of government finance from existing and new infrastructure projects implemented via alternative financing models does not affect fiscal consolidation efforts and the country’s financial position,” she added. 

Responding to Mohd Syahir Che Sulaiman’s (PN-Bachok) question about monitoring public-private projects, Lim said the government continues to closely monitor all projects implemented via any method of partnership. 

“The government’s commitment is to ensure prudent fiscal management, and at the same time, we want to strengthen the country’s economic resilience,” she added. 

-- BERNAMA