MALAYSIAN PM TO MONITOR PERSONALLY IMPLEMENTATION OF 2010 BUDGET

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 13 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak
will monitor personally the implementation of the first budget under his
administration, namely the 2010 Budget which he tabled in Parliament on Oct 23.

He said the progress of the projects listed under the budget would be
closely
monitored by the Project Management Unit of the Finance Ministry with the
support of the Implementation Coordination Unit to identify and resolve any
'roadblocks delaying the completion of these projects'.

"I have also impressed upon the custodians of these initiatives the
importance
of maintaining proper communications between federal and state authorities to
quickly resolve land issues or other issues concerning the state government,"
said Najib, who is also Finance Minister, in his blog www.1malaysia.com.my.

The 2010 Budget was Najib's maiden budget after taking his oath of office
as Malaysia's sixth Prime Minister on April 3.

Najib said that to ensure the integrity of the implementation, all findings
tabled by the Implementation Coordination Unit would be reported via the
Economic Council.

"All these efforts are put in place so that the country remains on course to
achieve its 2010 GDP (Gross Domestic Product) target.

"It is also in line with the government's commitment to deliver according to
the People First, Performance Now concept," he said.

Najib said he had called for a meeting to discuss the budget implementation
while attending the Asean Summit in Hua Hin, Thailand, just hours after the 2010
budget presentation in Parliament.

"This decision is unprecedented. Usually the budget implementation is left
up
to the Ministry of Finance to execute and monitor.

"However, I believe that as the Prime Minister of all Malaysians, it is
vital
that I personally supervise the effectuation of the first budget under my
administration," he said.

Najib said the main objective of the meeting was to study the
implementation
strategy for the 2010 National Budget and to troubleshoot problem areas at the
start.

Present at the meeting were all Cabinet ministers and representatives of the
relevant agencies including the Securities Commission, the Governor of Bank
Negara, as well as representatives from development corridors and regions,
Telecom, Petronas and other major government-linked companies (GLCs).

"It was an arduous task to personally study each initiative, project by
project, line by line, but I wanted to ensure all accountable parties are clear
on the objectives and goals of each initiative, hence ensuring proper
implementation," he said.

Najib also said he hoped that from the meeting there would be no doubt of
his serious intention to see the goals of the 2010 Budget were achieved and the
government delivery system improved for the long-term benefit of the people.

-- BERNAMA