SECTOR TOLD TO SPEED UP PROJECTS

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 17 (Bernama) -- Only 70 per cent of the RM7 billion (US$2
billion) economic stimulus package announced last November has been disbursed
and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi wants the public sector to buck up in
planning and implementing people-oriented projects under the package to generate
economic growth.

The prime minister said that if the money was not spent quickly the
government's effort to stimulate growth to cushion the impact of the global
economic recession would not be realised.

"We understand that the allocation has been given, so it is the duty and
responsibility of all of us to work as quickly as possible so that the projects
can be implemented, he said at the Defence Ministry'S monthly assembly here
Tuesday.

Abdullah, who is also Defence Minister, said the country's economic growth
would be further boosted by a second stimulus package to be announced by Deputy
Prime Minister and Finance Minsiter Najib Razak at the current Lower House of
Parliament sitting.

"This will surely involve a big expenditure, maybe more than that given out
last November.

"This calls for all of us (in the public sector) to work harder so that what
has been allocated is implemented as soon as possible," he said.

Abdullah said that in the current economic scenario, the public sector was
regarded as important and with a big role to play in rehabilitating the economy
to ensure that the many projects planned were implemented by the private sector,
whose role was to catalyse economic economic growth.

"As we work to rehabilitate the economy as best we can, it is the
government's policy for the private sector to be the catalyst of our economic
growth...in these times they are not in a position to lead and cannot play the
role expected of them," he said

Citing projects under the defence Ministry, Abdullah said that if the
projects were planned as soon as possible, it would give business opportunities
to the private sector and thus help them in these difficult times.

"Understanding this, I hope that the Defence Ministry can cobble a force to
plan because our strength and ability to plan will ensure the implementation and
success of the projects.

"I hope that it will reflect our ability, efficiency and sense of urgency
because we want those works implemented quickly...don't delay because it's for
the good of our nation," he said.
-- BERNAMA