PM ANWAR REMINDS NEW MINISTERS TO STUDY, UNDERSTAND POLICIES BEFORE MAKING DECISIONS

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 18 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reminded the new Cabinet members to comprehensively look into the management and policies of their respective ministries before making any decision.

Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, who is also the Unity Government spokesman, said Anwar reiterated this when he chaired the Cabinet Ministers' meeting yesterday.

"The Prime Minister welcomed all the new ministers, and he also issued a stern reminder to ministers to look at several aspects.

"Firstly, to spend time analysing, having an in-depth understanding of all aspects of management of ministries or policies that are being formulated by the ministries, and not to make any hasty decisions.

"Give time to the officers and civil servants to present several opinions first,” he told the final weekly media conference for this year, which was held at Angkasapuri Complex today. 

Fahmi said that, so far, no specific timeline has been set for the new ministers to achieve the results stipulated at their respective ministries to give them some space to get used to the administrative systems and procedures.

On the appointment of Hannah Yeoh as a Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories), he said it doesn't raise any governance issues as all the minister's decisions and actions at the department will be monitored and referred to the Prime Minister.

He said that this is because Hannah shoulders the duty and responsibility of a Minister in the Prime Minister's Department that covers the Federal Territories portfolio, and does not head a specific department as previously.

"For ministers in the Prime Minister's Department, the head is the Prime Minister. So, any action or decision will also be referred to the Prime Minister, and normally, the Post-Cabinet Meeting will be attended by all the ministers in the Prime Minister's Department.

"So, in terms of management, the Prime Minister will monitor, and if necessary, provide any advice or instructions to the ministers in the Prime Minister's Department, normally,” he said.

-- BERNAMA