Form independent team to monitor budget initiatives, says Santiago

 

Government spending related to the federal budget and Covid-19 relief packages as announced by the prime minister needs to be better monitored, says MP.

PETALING JAYA: An opposition MP has urged Putrajaya to form an independent monitoring team comprising civil servants, experts, academics, NGOs, industry players, and MPs to oversee the implementation of major government initiatives.

DAP’s Klang MP Charles Santiago said this included government spending related to the federal budget and Covid-19 relief packages, both of which run into billions of ringgit.

He cited similar practices in other developed countries, saying it was even more important now with the suspension of Dewan Rakyat sittings.

Santiago said this is highlighted by the calls from various parties for the government to expedite the delivery of the 150,000 laptops for students as announced in the federal budget.

Putrajaya had previously announced that government-linked companies (GLCs) would contribute RM150 million for the provision of laptops to 150,000 students in 500 schools.

“So when you have large expenditure like this, an independent monitoring team will look at the entire process from procurement to implementation, including reaching target groups,” said Santiago.

In this way, every step of the process is monitored, and organised in a purposeful manner to reach target groups and goals.

He said the team can also advise on the best way to implement certain initiatives to ensure the country gets the best value.

“For example, rather than procuring 150,000 laptops from a handful of suppliers, we could look into purchasing the necessary hardware and train groups of unemployed graduates to assemble them.”

Highlighting that this can be done through government-linked training or job placement programmes, Santiago said this would help those who are unemployed to develop some skills and at the same time provide gainful employment to them. - FMT