‘MECHANISMS ARE IN PLACE’
Minister says system sufficient to regulate federally-funded projects
KRISTY INUS
KOTA KINABALU kristy@nst.com.my
THERE are sufficient mechanisms to monitor and regulate federally funded projects nationwide, so long as federal ministries engage the state governments concerned.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan said the problem was that previously, the ministry had operated almost on an independent basis.
Stating that he had never sidelined the Sabah government when he held the position of urban wellbeing, housing, and local government minister, Rahman said: “For every programme and budget done for Sabah, I would seek the state government’s opinion.”
He said ministries should ask for the state governments’ opinions before implementing any programme, project or budget.
Rahman, who is in charge of the Economic Planning Unit (EPU), said state federal secretaries could liaise between the state and Federal governments.
“We in the EPU will collaborate with them (Sabah government) before coming up with a budget. So, whatever I announce today (is the result) of discussions with Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman, agencies under the state government and Sabah EPU,” Rahman said during a working visit to Sepanggar yesterday.
He was commenting on the MACC probe, which found Rural and Regional Ministry projects in Sabah during the six-year period from 2010 normally went to contractors appointed by the ministry, and not the state government.
On whether there was a need for a mechanism to regulate federally-funded projects, he said the system was in place and the ministries just had to adhere to it.
“For EPU, we just allocate the money (for the project) and look at the relevant operating implementation ministry or agency. It depends on the relevant jurisdiction. Some of the funds will go to the state government, while some will go to the operating ministry at the federal level.
“It doesn’t matter who is the implementing body as what is important is to inform the state government as a matter of respect and courtesy.”