KUCHING: Be frank with top management about problems encountered when implementing projects on the ground.
This is the advice from Deputy Premier and Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD) Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas to his officers from various departments and agencies under his ministry.
“Don’t spare any bad news. Please tell us of problems encountered when you brief us on the project. Lay them on the table for deliberation and solution,” he said after a talk on integrity by Ustaz Syamsul Debat for MIPD officers and staff, followed by the iftar session at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching yesterday.
Taking the recent case when he visited a road project in the Samarahan Division as an example, he said that when he arrived near the site, he was met by a group of local headmen and landowners who were very anxious over land compensation matters.
“Of course some were angry about it but when I was given a briefing earlier, I was not told whether this issue was intentional or a genuine mistake.
“But I hope it is a genuine mistake. My two deputy ministers and the Permanent Secretary and I are all open to your feedback. Whatever it is, whether it is bad or good news, you have to tell us,” he said.
Following this, Uggah also highlighted the importance of continuing to serve with integrity.
“In the industries of port and public works developments, integrity is more than just honesty. Integrity is a commitment to deliver with excellence, safety and reliability.
“When it is compromised, the consequences can be dire which includes structural failures, legal repercussions and a tarnished reputation,” he said.
On another matter, he also reminded the officers that the MIPD had set a number of targets to achieve this year, one of which was to achieve a 100 per cent or at least 95 per cent development expenditure.
“We have been allocated a RM799.5 million budget this year. In 2021, our development expenditure performance was at 67.46 per cent and in 2022, slightly higher at 68.16 per cent.
“I am proud to mention that in 2023, our performance was at 85.69 per cent, among the highest compared to other ministries and departments. And I am confident we can do better,” he said, adding that the ministry also puts achieving a zero sick project performance as its top priority.
