Implementation agencies must not use waiting for the tabling of the Ninth Malaysia Plan as an excuse to delay implementation of government projects, particularly those slated under the Eighth Malaysia Plan.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said all projects sanctioned under the Eighth Plan must be completed according to schedule.

"I don't want a situation when we want to launch projects and programmes under the ninth plan, we've to spend a lot of time to complete projects listed under the Eighth Plan," he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

The premier is expected to table the ninth plan, which will chart the nation's direction from 2006 to 2010, in Parliament on March 31.

Describing projects and programmes slated under the Eighth Malaysia Plan as important, he said efforts to complete unfinished projects should not be delayed.

Emphasising that he did not want to see any of the Eighth Malaysia Plan projects delayed, Abdullah stressed that it was important for central agencies like the Implementation Coordination Unit in the Prime Minister's Department to ensure delays did not occur.

On the same note, Abdullah also commented on his administration's continuous efforts towards improving the public service delivery system.

Abdullah said he wants ministries and government agencies to constantly review and streamline their work procedures, taking into account the requirements and current developments.

"If certain procedures or sections need to be amended, it must be reviewed and new procedures must be approved fast," he added.

Time for review

He cited as example how procedures during the Emergency period when faced with natural disasters were reviewed by the authorities.

"For the National Security Division, for instance, when they're not very busy with work related to helping natural disaster victims, the time can be used to review procedures.

"It's about time we do some review because our emergency plans to face any eventuality are outdated. That was a long time ago," he said.

Among aspects that should be looked into, he added, are involvement of non-governmental organisations and weaknesses in terms of payment.

He also said the Anti-Corruption Agency and the Attorney-General's Department as government agencies need to give attention to the heavy responsibilities shouldered by them.

"All these need to be given attention because I do not want to hear when something happens, people say the Prime Minister's Department is late, we become the agency blamed for something delayed and cannot be implemented," he added.