KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 24 – The government can expect to save about RM2 billion from an allocation of RM15 billion set for several flood disaster management projects, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said when tabling the Budget 2023 at the Parliament here today.
Pointing out the need for transparent and open tenders for projects undertaken towards disaster management in the country, he said these projects were highly important as they involved the safety and well being of people and properties.
However, if these projects are undertaken in a hurry and with direct negotiation and without any transparency in the tendering process, they will be a waste of government funds and only benefit a small group and not bring the desired benefits to the people, he said.
The Finance Ministry has suggested that the tenders for these projects are given out in the media both print and media to ensure a transparent tendering process takes place.
In this context, he also said a flood mitigation project has been stopped and currently under the investigation of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
He said another 6 flood mitigation projects including water retention ponds in the country including in Johor and Selangor will also go through a retendering process.