Focus now will be on good governance with strong mandate given – PM Anwar

PUTRAJAYA, Dec 21 – With the strong mandate given to the Unity Government in the Parliament recently, work will now be on ensuring good governance, taking care of the people’s welfare as well as efficiency in facilitating business processes, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today.

Speaking at a press conference here, Anwar said the Cabinet today had discussed the ongoing flood situation in the east coast as well as several other issues.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had visited and monitored the affected areas in the East Coast and had taken several immediate measures and has briefed the Cabinet, he said.

He said discussions were on the forms of assistance to be given for flood victims. He said proposals were also given on engaging more volunteers to handle the flood situation. The assistance of the armed forces will be also expanded for providing help amid the flood situation.

Anwar, who will be travelling to Kelantan today to monitor the flood situation, said he will be also getting the views of the state authorities before making further announcements on the kind of aid and deployment of personnel to face the floods.

Yesterday, the prime minister also said the cash assistance provided by the previous government will be continued to be given to the people. He had earlier also said the government will expedite aid to flood victims especially in the east coast through the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma).

To questions on the ongoing East Coast Rail Link, he said the project will continue. While there has been a slight rise in cost of project, the figure is still lower than the projected figure in 2016, he said.

He also said the government will be looking into speeding up and enhancing several processes involving business applications.

He also said that the New Year celebrations for this year will be cancelled in view of the flood situation in the country.

–WE