An outspoken backbencher has suggested the posts for the prime minister and menteris besar be made for life to ensure continuity in government policies and projects.

Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) made this suggestion as Shahrir Samad (BN-Johor Baru), who was debating on the 2007 Budget in the Dewan Rakyat today, voiced concerns on the slow implementation of certain government policies.

Interjecting, Bung Moktar stood up and asked Shahrir: "Do you agree with me if we make the prime minister and menteris besar hold their posts until they die so that the administration system can continue more smoothly?"

Shahrir grinned and sarcastically replied: "The posts of 'ex-premier' or 'ex-menteri besar' can be held for life."

He added: "These posts do not belong to us. It is not good for us to hold them for life, only the post of a 'retiree' can be held for life. Like me, I can be an ex-minister for life."

Shahrir had served as minister for federal territory as well as minister for welfare during the 80s.

Officials 'struggling' to implement policies

Earlier in the debate, the Johor Baru MP criticised the ineffectiveness of the civil service in implementing decisions made by the government.

"For instance, the National Automotive Policy had been announced in April but the officials responsible in implementing the policy are still struggling (with it)," said the vocal backbencher.

He also cited another example - that of the National Integrity Plan (NIP) - which was announced in April 2004 shortly after Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi assumed power, but it has yet to be fully implemented at the parliamentary level.

Shahrir also pointed out the Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club - which he headed until his abrupt resignation in May - had implemented half of the six points stipulated under the NIP but the other half were not carried out accordingly.

"If the prime minister is too busy (to implement them), it can be handed over to his deputy or the minister who in charge of parliamentary affairs," said the MP.

Shahrir's concern was shared by his counterparts.

Zaid Ibrahim (BN-Kota Baru) who echoed Sharir's statement, said it should be the cabinet's responsibility to prepare a policy paper to brief the civil servants before announcing a new policy.

Lopsided allocation of funds

Shahrir has also questioned the government's choice of appointing Mohd Sidek Hassan as the new chief secretary to the government as the latter had only served in one ministry - the international trade and industry ministry - for 28 years.

He said Mohd Sidek's appointment raised questions regarding the future of human resource development in the civil service as he believed that a civil servant should be trained in various fields before being appointed into such a top post.

Meanwhile, the Johor Baru MP also suggested the government to give allocations to constituency accordingly to revenue collected from respective constituency to ensure a balanced development.

"Otherwise, all (the developments) will be concentrated in Kuala Lumpur [...] we hope with a new chief secretary, there will also be some new changes," he said.

The debate on the Budget continues tomorrow.