Zahid Hamidi directs Rural Development Ministry to clear backlog by year-end

Putrajaya, September 1 - The Rural and Regional Development Ministry is set to launch "Operation Zero Delay" over the next four months of the year, with a focus on completing pending projects, payments, land issues, utilities, contracts, assets, and decisions. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi emphasized the urgency of this initiative, stating that the time remaining until 2026 is limited, and delaying decisions would only increase the cost of problems.

Hamidi urged all divisions, departments, and agencies to implement this operation, stating that the ministry aims to focus more on resolving existing issues rather than adding new ones during the remaining months. He called for a comprehensive review of all unresolved projects, payments, land issues, utilities, contracts, assets, and decisions, categorizing them into three groups: those that can be resolved immediately, those requiring higher decisions or interventions, and those that are no longer practical or viable.

The deputy prime minister stressed the importance of assigning responsibility for each issue, setting clear time frames, and making decisions promptly. He asserted that no issue should go unaddressed, no project without a timeline, and no meeting without a decision. Poor coordination between agencies, land acquisition delays, utility issues, contractor problems, and payment delays can create implementation gaps, preventing people from benefiting from projects on time.

The issue of payment to contractors is of particular concern, especially for work that has been implemented and progresses as per the development contract, including rural road projects under the Ministry. Late payments can pressure contractors and affect the cash flow of suppliers, subcontractors, workers, and service providers, spreading the impact throughout the local economy.

Hamidi highlighted that good fiscal management involves not only controlling expenses but also responsibly managing commitments made to maintain public confidence. In light of limited financial resources and implementation capacity, the Ministry should avoid initiating too many projects simultaneously, which could lead to some failing to be completed properly.

He argued that it is better to focus on essential projects, allocate sufficient resources, and ensure their completion rather than pursuing numerous projects with inadequate resources. The effectiveness of a government, according to Hamidi, is measured not just by its planning ability but also by its capacity to address citizens' problems, aligning with the Ministry's mission to bridge the gap between rural communities and opportunities for progress and better lives.