Experts from the prestigious Harvard university in the US have been appointed to help the government improve its delivery system, said Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today.

He said the experts would draft strategies and provide courses to improve efficiency and cut down red tape in government agencies.

"We want our officers to play the role of facilitators rather than being mere regulators to development," he added during the Question session in the Dewan Rakyat.

To a question by Abdul Halim Abdul Rahman (PAS-Pengkalan Chepa), Abdullah said the public delivery system was now in line with the principles of Islam Hadhari mooted by the government.

The premier also stated that uncompleted and yet-to-be implemented projects under the 8th Malaysian Plan (8MP) would be carried forward into the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP).

"There are projects which have not been implemented due to various problems. We are not going to abandon them," he said in reply to Hashim Jahaya (BN-Kuala Kedah).

Reminder on fuel prices

This morning, Abdullah held his second briefing for Barisan Nasional parliamentarians at the Parliament building. The 45-minute meeting began at about 8.45am.

Met later, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz said the main issue at the briefing revolved around the 9MP, slated to be unveiled on March 31.

"The prime minister wanted to remind (MPs) about the 9MP. He's very concerned about it. This is the first Malaysian plan since he has become premier," he added.

Nazri also revealed that Abdullah had reminded government backbenchers to return to their constituencies and explain the decision behind the increase in fuel prices.

"He (told) them (backbenchers) to explain to people in their constituencies...he wanted to make sure (everything is going well)," he said.