PM wants public-private projects to include worker welfare

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called for public-private partnership (PPP) projects to incorporate factors such as worker and family welfare.

He said that under his government, PPP projects should take into account worker wages and the needs of their families, including housing, education, and health.

“This is what makes the PPP concept under the Madani government special. This is (something) to consider in every social and public-private partnership,” he said.

He was speaking at the launch of the Public-Private Partnership Master Plan 2030 (Pikas 2030) in Cyberjaya today.

Also present at the launch ceremony were Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof, Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Johari Abdul Ghani, Chief Secretary to the Government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, and Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari.

Pikas 2030 aims to strengthen governance and project management to accelerate the country’s economic growth while managing fiscal challenges.

The prime minister said the main objective of the master plan is to provide a sustainable PPP landscape for the country’s well-being.

He said the Public-Private Partnership Unit (Ukas) will also ensure the approval and implementation of projects will not be bound by excessive bureaucracy.

The unit must adhere to principles of good governance to avoid any fraudulent activities that can undermine the impetus for change, he said.

Need to improve governance

Anwar also acknowledged there is a need for Malaysia to improve aspects of its governance when launching projects in the country.

“We know of more than 510 PPP projects implemented, there are projects with some weaknesses (in terms of governance),” he said.

Previously, it was reported that there were 510 PPP projects in the country of various scales and types that were managed under different models such as Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT), Build-Lease-Maintain-Transfer (BLMT), and others.

The government, through Ukas under the Prime Minister’s Department, oversees these projects to ensure they are implemented in line with national development objectives.

“We can be a great nation if we have the entire society, from the leaders to the people... and the private sector and (public sector) workers to have this common resolve to uplift our nation’s future, ensuring peace and security.

“Believe me, I have a strong conviction that this nation, Malaysia, can emerge as a great nation,” Anwar added.

- Bernama

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