Good deeds must be seen and felt

Adapted from malaysianinsider

MARCH 31 – Last week, the government announced that contracts worth a total of RM3.2billion will be awarded for projects identified under the RM60billion stimulus package.

This shows that the government is aware of the need for quick implementation of the stimulus package.

During the debate in parliament, members of parliament from both sides urged the government to ensure fast and transparent disbursement of funds under the mini-budget to restore the confidence of the rakyat and to effectively lend the economy a helping hand.

The dismal growth for the fourth quarter of 2008 and accelerating drop in exports expected in 2009 shows that the effect of the economic slowdown is already affecting Malaysia.

We do not have the luxury to be laid back and say that we are spared from the effect of this global crisis.

Aside from speedy disbursement of funds and execution of the projects, monitoring of the projects is equally important to ensure all bottlenecks are cleared. In the past, government projects have been synonymous with bureaucracy, requiring multiple approval and licenses before they can take off. This must change.

The government has to ensure that red tape does strangle the government’s or any goodwill or positive outcome will be watered down. Projects must be fast-tracked but always with proper transparent procedures that do not create doubt and suspicions on the process.

As I have mentioned in my previous posts and in parliament, whether Barisan Nasional is able to withstand the onslaught of the opposition in the next general election depends on how we handle the economic crisis and resolve the bread-and-butter issues.

It would be pointless to roll out one stimulus package after another if nothing gets implemented in a timely manner.

I am pleased that several committees are being set up to monitor the implementation of projects under the stimulus package, together with the coordination with other relevant agencies. This shows improvement compared to the first stimulus package.

Though this is a first step to ensure that projects can be pushed through the system, I hope that the proper follow-up actions, accountability and also authority is given to the committees to resolve problems instead being just more committees for the sake of having committees.

As seen in the first stimulus package announced in November 2008, only 16,386 projects worth RM1.67billion package have been awarded and implemented. Meanwhile the remaining 38,000 projects will be rolled out in April and completed in August 2009.

This may seem to be achievement as these projects are completed within less than one year since the stimulus package was tabled.

However, much is still not known about the nature of the 38,000 or the 16,386 projects.

With such big figures, both in the number of projects and amount to be spent, it can be mind-boggling for the rakyat. It is quite hard at times for people to relate to how a budget of RM60billion or a stimulus package is able to help them especially if they are not the direct beneficiaries.

As such, even though the government may be proactive in putting in place measures to mitigate the effects of the global crisis, the rakyat may perceive that the stimulus package is just a waste of money as it benefits only a few.

Thus it is equally vital that the Government emphasises the dissemination of information on the projects implemented, the progress and the target achieved to enable the rakyat to be informed on the work done by the Government.

I hope a website is set up to keep tabs on spending of the stimulus package will shed light on the details of the projects and relay information on how the government is assisting the rakyat and the economy.

The same scenario can be seen in the subsidy spending that takes up a huge portion of our budget every year. Since the subsidies are not really seen and not much information is provided on a daily basis, the net results have been taken for granted. Now it is expected that the Government must give subsidies or the rakyat will react negatively.

Nearly every sector is heavily subsidised by the Government, from petrol, diesel and cooking gas to wheat flour, bread, education, healthcare and many more. In 2009, the government is expected to spend RM27.9billion in subsidies.

But how long can the Government continue to fund subsidies, especially if revenue from commodities is on a downward trend?

Hence, I have always proposed that the government should reexamine the subsidy system by giving direct grants to cut down on inefficiencies and to generate political goodwill.

Alternatively, as a short term measure, the Government should educate the public more about subsidies by informing them about the subsidy on each packet of sugar, cooking oil, or each operation, medical check-up and also in terms of education.

Everyone knows it cost RM1 to register at a government hospital but how much subsidy is in the medication or treatment?

A breakdown of information to the micro level would enable the rakyat to understand where the subsidy is spent. If not, the RM27.9billion subsidy would not strike a chord with the rakyat and would just merely be an announcement figure.

If a detailed analysis is not available, it is time that the Government embark on a cost evaluation programme to enable it to understand the cost and to avoid any ballooning expenditure.

With the implementation of the first stimulus package and the mini budget which would be a priority of the top officials in the government, I hope that any bottlenecks and red tape that are identified can also be resolved permanently to avoid problems from recurring.

If any procedures need to be amended, restructured, scrapped or even abolished, it should be done now.

Through this process, the implementation of the mini budget would also provide the government a platform to improve its processes.. It can be done if there is sufficient political will and determination.

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上个星期，政府宣布将在近期内，发出第二套刺激经济配套下总共32亿令吉的工程合约。

这显示，政府认同这个总值600亿令吉的刺激经济配套必须尽快落实。

朝野议员在国会下议院辩论这项或称迷你预算案的经济配套时，一致要求政府确保拨款能保持透明的情况下尽快发放，以恢复人们的信心，并有效振兴经济。

2008年第四季度的经济成长率令人失望，一般预料今年的出口量也会直线下降，种种迹象显示我国正面临经济放缓的影响。

我们没有太大的本钱，以及辩称我们可以幸免这场全球危机。

除了快速发放拨款及落实工程，当局也必须监督有关工程，确保一一打破瓶颈。过去，政府工程在进行之前，面对太多繁文缛节、多重审批及执照发放的问题，这些现象都必须改变。

政府不能让繁文缛节扼杀了政府的努力或成果。虽然工程必须尽速进行，不过当局也必须确保程序保持透明，不会制造任何疑问或猜疑。

正如我在国会和过去的文章中所说的，不论国阵是否能在下届大选中面对反对党的冲击，胥视国阵政府是否能处理经济危机及生计问题。

如果宣布了两项刺激经济配套，却没有如期执行，那是没有意义的。

政府将设立数个委员会，以监督刺激经济配套的执行工作，这些委员会也将与相关政府机构协调，这项举措是一种进步，我对此表示欢迎。

虽然成立监督委员会来确保工程如期进行只是第一步，不过，我仍希望有关当局会持续跟进及秉持问责制，同时授权让委员会解决问题，以免委员会沦为“只是拥有委员的委员会”。

去年11月宣布的第一套刺激经济配套下，只有1万6千386个总值16亿7千万令吉的工程已发放机执行，其余的3万8千个工程将在今年4月开始推出直到8月。

上述工程有可能在宣布配套后的一年内完成，这可说是一项成就。

不过，不论是3万8千个工程或者是1万6千386个工程，仍充满变数。

人民对工程和拨款数目可能没有概念，同时并非直接受惠的人民，也难以马上联想到这600亿令吉或整个配套可以如何协助到他们。

正因如此，虽然政府积极采取各种措施来减低全球经济的冲击，人们仍可能认为这些配套只让小撮人受惠，而且只是浪费金钱。

因此，政府必须注重传达相关工程的的资讯、进展及目标，让人民了解政府的工作。

我希望政府设立一个网站，上载刺激经济配套的拨款去向、工程详情，以及说明政府如何协助人民及振兴经济。

政府也可以采用同样的措施，公布补贴的详情。每年，各种补贴占了预算案的一大部分，基于我们看不到这些补贴的去向，也没有补贴的发放相关资料，因此我们只能认为这些补贴数据是理所当然。现在，政府应该公布补贴的详情，否则人民可能有所不满。

政府几乎为所有领域提供补贴，包括汽油、柴油、食油、面粉、面包、教育、卫生等。2009年，政府预料将发出279亿令吉的补贴。

不过，在经济放缓，尤其是原产品价格呈跌势而导致盈利减少的情况下，政府还可以继续补贴多久？

因此，我向来倡议政府应该重新检讨补贴系统，同时建议应该以直接补助的方式，以减少纰漏，并创造良好的政治意愿。

另外，政府可以通过短期措施，即通过提供资讯，譬如提供所有补贴品的补贴价格，以教育人民。

大家都知道，到政府医院求诊的注册费只需1令吉，但是医药或治疗用了多少政府补助？

从微观角度提供资讯，可让人民更了解补助的去处。否则，人们会认为那笔279亿令吉的补贴仅仅是政府宣布的数据，不能引起人们的共鸣。

如果没有详细的分析，政府应该开始进行成本分析计划以了解补贴的成本，避免任何不必要的开销。

如果政府最高领导人将第一和第二刺激经济配套的执行及落实列为首要工作，我希望政府能一劳永逸地消除繁文缛节，避免问题一再发生。

如果需要修改、重整、废除或取消任何原有程序，政府应该马上行动。

通过这个程序，第二套刺激经济配套也是政府改进表现的平台。如果有足够的政治意愿及决心，这是可以做到。