CYBERJAYA: Projects that were announced in the 2024 Budget can start immediately as funds have already been disbursed to respective ministries.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this is an improvement from previous years where funds were disbursed after the first quarter.
"We want to ensure that projects announced in the Budget (2024) do not wait until the first quarter. We should start now.
"Since we have record achievement for projects implemented in 2023. In 2024 we want to implement fast.
"Funds have been disbursed. This is the first time in the history of the treasury to disburse funds to the various ministries in January, "he told reporters at the Cabinet's two-day retreat, here, today.
On the government's 2024 economic outlook, Anwar said they would be focusing on political stability followed by clarity of policies and expediting processes.
This also includes upskilling manpower and making changes to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
"We have initiated programmes and ask the Ministry of International Trade and Industry and Malaysian Investment Development Authority to effectively coordinate and simplify processes (for investment).
"This has been the most common complaint by potential investors in most of my meetings from China to the United States which can be resolved.
"From the interest and commitment (of potential investors, I see very positive results," he said adding that the previous investment process could take up to a year to receive the approval of 28 agencies.
He added that they have asked government-linked companies to be more agressive in terms of enhancing potential and anticipating requirements both in terms of human resources and infrastructure.
Meanwhile, on the Cabinet's retreat, Anwar shared that it has taken a different direction by calling in local and international researchers and those in the private sector.
"The (Cabinet) retreat has taken an open-minded approach and are receptive towards critisisms and new suggestions and not to defend existing programmes and policies.
"There are still room for improvement. This is our theme for this retreat.
"The goal is to increase efforts to give the best service to the people apart from driving the growth of the country's economy, interpreting the Madani concept and also raising the country's ability and dignity," he said.
Among the discussion during the retreat, Anwar said, includes energy transition, digital reformation, industrial plan, civil servants reform, national unity, education, TVET and artificial intelligence.
He said the focus for this year would be on implementation of programmes and policies more effectively.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister's Department said the two-day retreat would discuss important aspects including the economic challenges and directions, welfare and social security, infrastructure and sustainability development, administrative management, innovation, and communication towards the nation's prosperity.
This is the government's second retreat since coming into power in November 2022.
It was attended by 31 cabinet members and 15 special invitees, and is being held at a resort in Cyberjaya.