MIRI, May 3: Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas has issued a challenge to all officers of the Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak to make it the most efficient and competent department in the country.
Speaking at a Randau Pemansang session with JKR divisional engineers and senior officers from throughout Sarawak, Uggah emphasised the need for feedback in order to identify bureaucratic issues and seek solutions.
“Once we identify them, we can seek the solutions. The department has, after all, gone through many trials and tribulations.
“Let this be our vision to be the best from now,” he said in his keynote address at the event here today.
Uggah, who is also the Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD), also stressed the need for the department to deliver all development projects under its supervision on time to meet the high expectation of the people.
“Please inform us of any problems and obstructions standing in the way of implementation. The people expect us to deliver or to rectify problems they face as soon as possible.
“If we are not forthcoming in our efforts, they will take to social media to vent their anger at us and in ignorance of the actual situation or process,” he added.
He also noted that both JKR Sarawak and the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) Sarawak had been recognised as technical departments under AP 182 (Arahan Perbendaharaan) by the Federal government.
This has allowed them to have autonomy in the implementation of Federal projects.
“Sarawak had been fighting hard for JKR, DID and JBALB (Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department) to be recognised under the MA63 (Malaysia Agreement 1963) talks.
“Our Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg too is very confident the JKR and DID can deliver. Do not let him down. So the bottom line is we must deliver as scheduled,” he reminded.
On sick projects, Uggah was glad to note that JKR director Richard Tajan has made ‘Zero Sick Project’ as the key performance indicator (KPI) on all new projects for all his divisional engineers.
“We are in the process of implementing more and more projects and particularly now that we are allowed to implement Federal projects costing RM50 million and below.
“So obviously we cannot afford to slack off. If we can successfully handle this, we can apply for the increase in future allocations,” he said.
Deputy Minister of Port Development Dato Majang Renggi, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Development Ir Aidel Lariwoo and MIPD permanent secretary Chiew Chee Yaw were among those present. — DayakDaily
