Financial constraints causing govt to rely on private initiatives, says Dr MSunday, 2 Jun 20199:07 PM MYT
by muguntan vanar, stephanie lee, and natasha joibi
KOTA KINABALU: Tight finances is forcing the Federal Government to use private initiatives to deliver projects to all states in Malaysia, according to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The Prime Minister said that due to financial constraints of the Federal Government caused by the previous Barisan Nasional administration, they do not have sufficient funds to undertake projects in various states.
"It is slow not only for Sabah but also for the other states," he said when asked about delayed federal projects in Sabah on Sunday (June 2).
"To overcome these obstacles, we need to rely on the private sectors, but first, we must make sure they are genuine," he said.
On the delays of the Pan Borneo Highway project, Dr Mahathir said that the Public Works Department (PWD) has taken over from a private project manager and it was up to PWD to deliver it now.
However, he said it would be up to the federal PWD to decide whether to give the project to the Sabah PWD to handle.
On a question on how Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia is fitting into the Parti Warisan Sabah-led state government, Dr Mahathir said they were working closely even though Warisan is not part of Pakatan Harapan.
Dr Mahathir noted that Warisan played a major role in ensuring Pakatan's DAP Vivian Wong won in the Sandakan by-election with a 11,521 majority.
Earlier, some 20 underprivileged people received tithe and Hari Raya goodies during the event.
He also spent time chatting with the senior citizens present.
The Prime Minister then carried out prayers with state lawmakers including Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal and members of his Warisan-led administration.
Dr Mahathir flew back to Kuala Lumpur with his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali after prayers and dinner at the mosque.
Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/06/02/financial-constraints-causing-govt-to-rely-on-private-initiatives-says-dr-m/#M4l7Y9zutOXA3UBq.99
