PROJECT PERFORMANCE BELOW EXPECTATIONS, MUST IMPROVE AHEAD OF 13MP – CHIEF SECRETARY

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 12 (Bernama) -- The performance of development projects this year is less than satisfactory and requires further improvement, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said. 

He noted that RM85.87 billion was allocated for 9,524 projects, with RM64.03 billion already spent, representing a national average of 74.56 per cent.

Shamsul Azri said that of this amount, only 16 ministries have exceeded the national average.

“Therefore, I urge each secretary-general to convene the Ministry Development Action Council (MTPK) meetings as scheduled under Directive No. 1 of 2020,” he said.

He was speaking at the National Development Awards (APN) 2025 ceremony officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim here today.

Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, and Public Service Department director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz.

Shamsul Azri added that the Public Works Department (JKR) has been tasked with reviewing the implementation of physical projects to ensure they are carried out more efficiently and effectively, so that the benefits of development reach the people as scheduled.

He said the country is preparing for the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), themed ‘Melakar Semula Pembangunan’ (Redefining Development), for the 2026–2030 period.

“I urge all civil servants to make thorough preparations now. We need to be more agile and innovative in coordinating efforts to implement over 120 strategies and more than 600 initiatives outlined,” he said.

Shamsul Azri noted that Budget 2026, announced by the prime minister on Oct 10, reflects the government’s commitment to continuing to assist the people without increasing national debt, while laying a solid foundation for inclusive and sustainable long-term economic growth.

He highlighted key 12MP initiatives, including SejaTi MADANI, Santuni MADANI, the Sekolah Angkat MADANI and Kampung Angkat MADANI adoption programmes and Sejahtera MADANI.

“The SejaTi MADANI programme, aimed at building community economic capacity, has benefited 9,655 community groups nationwide, with allocations of RM590 million in 2024 and RM600 million this year,” he said.

Shamsul Azri said that Sejahtera MADANI focuses on improving the socio-economic status of households listed in the eKasih system.

“As of Oct 30, the ‘Tabung Kesejahteraan Rakyat’ fund has collected RM64.10 million from 29 strategic partners for this programme,” he said.

For Kampung Angkat MADANI, 219 villages are involved in 603 programme scopes covering infrastructure upgrades, new construction, social and educational facilities, electricity and solar supply, improved telecommunications access, and TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training), with allocations of RM177.34 million.

He said a total of 915 schools have been selected under Sekolah Angkat MADANI, with total allocations of RM34.63 million, including 720 schools under corporate matching with RM17.23 million in funding.

Shamsul Azri said the civil service must continually streamline control and compliance mechanisms and delivery methods to keep pace with global technological advancements.

“Therefore, more agile, collaborative and adaptive government workflows are necessary,” he said, adding that the government is actively exploring future technologies such as blockchain to enhance transparency and efficiency in public service delivery.

“Some government agencies have already adopted this technology, such as the Marine Department with the Digital Seafarer Card and the Ministry of Health with the Vaccine Management System,” he said.

At the same time, Shamsul Azri said the civil service must prepare to adopt Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) to safeguard all digital communications from future cyber threats.

“The implementation of both technologies in the public sector poses unique challenges because government data is highly sensitive, including health data and people’s personal information. The design must be meticulous to ensure confidential data is not exposed,” he said.

-- BERNAMA