Ambrin Buang to lead investigation committee in governance

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday named former Auditor-General Tan Sri Ambrin Buang as chairman of the special investigation committee on issues concerning public governance, procurement and finance.

The investigation will begin with the Defence Ministry, he told a press conference after chairing the weekly Cabinet meeting at the Perdana Putra here yesterday.

Ambrin served as the Auditor-General for 11 years from Feb 23, 2006, until his retirement on Feb 22, 2017.

Meanwhile, the prime minister said the Cabinet also discussed several initiatives to be taken, including a study on suitable mechanism to enable young people to purchase their first house following the tight loan conditions imposed by banks and financial institutions.

He said the government was also looking into the methods to reduce cost of housing, which would be explained further in the near future.

Dr Ma hath ir said the development agenda for rural entrepreneurs was also discussed, including to study the initiative to encourage the use of machine and technology to improve the quality of the products.

“Online marketing skill training will also be given. The government will work to facilitate online sales to help small businesses,” he said.

The prime minister also said that a committee involving nongovernmental experts would be set up to review the national education curriculum starting from preschool to university level.

“This will take into consideration the curriculum from other countries, which will cover other aspects, such as civic awareness,” he said.

On the survey on poverty and denial of urban children’s rights at low-cost flats, Dr Mahathir said the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development would study the issue of malnutrition among urban poor children, including in Putrajaya.

Also discussed was the proposed expansion of the Peduli Sihat Scheme nationwide in line with the Pakatan Harapan government’s 10 Promises in 100 Days manifesto for the 14th General Election.

Under the scheme, which was first introduced by the Selangor government, RM500 assistance would be granted to those in the B40 category to provide them access to primary care services at registered private medical institutions.

Dr Mahathir said the Economic Affairs Ministry and the Human Resources Ministry would table Cabinet papers soon on the proposed restructuring and coordination of functions of skills training institutes under several ministries to prevent waste.

“At the same time, this will maximise efforts to provide trainings to the young people,” he said.

The prime minister also said that the meeting of the Special Cabinet Committee on Indian Community would be held soon to tackle the issues faced by the community.

When asked on the remaining list of his Cabinet line-up, Dr Mahathir said it would be announced by next week at the latest.