MIDTERM REVIEW

A rural youth leader welcomed the new thrust of the 9th Malaysia Plan Mid Term Review saying the rural poor stand to benefit if the implementation is effective.
"As a youth leader from a rural constituency, I welcome the announcement by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on the Mid Term Review. This is the kind of things we in the rural areas are dreaming about but have been waiting for far too long. My request is that whatever the government planned to do to improve the quality of life of the rural population, it must be carried out now," said PBB Telang Usan youth chief councillor Dennis Ngau Jok.
"We are not demanding the government do this and do that. From the announcement of the Mid Term Review, we understand the government has the policy and the programme to help the rural poor. All we are asking is that whatever is planned for the rural poor must reach the rural poor. This is where effective implementation is vital. I agree with the statement made by Gerakan acting chief Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon that the "real test is to ensure that the delivery and implementation of various promises, programmes and projects. It is crucial to plug wastage and leakage through greater transparency and efficiency", " said Dennis.
He was interviewed by the Borneo Post on the Mid Term Review that was announcement by the Prime Minister recently.
An additional RM30 billion will be set aside for the rest of the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) period to cover the escalating costs of existing projects.
The money, in addition to the original allocation of RM200 billion, will come from the recent fuel subsidy restructuring.
The Prime Minister, in tabling the Mid Term Review in Parliament recently said the government would undertake "people-centric" projects for the remaining period of the 9MP from 2008 to 2010 in light of rising oil prices and uncertainty caused by external factors.
The people-centric projects are those which provide basic amenities and directly benefit the people, such as water supply. Electricity, health facilities, education, low-cost housing, poverty eradication and public safety.
"The needs and expectations of the rural people in my areas are simple. All we need are good road systems, basic amenities such as water and electricity supply. Until these needs are not met, I believe the rural people will remain poor," said Dennis.
"With regard to the special focus group that will work towards the eradication of poverty by 2010, we want to see it being implemented now," he added.
This focus group has been set up to streamline, coordinate and assess programmes at state, district levels.
On enhancing education with emphasis given to rural schools, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, Dennis said it would be beneficial to the rural youths if more skills centres are set up in rural areas.
"Although, we have Giatmara in Marudi, it would be good if similar centres can be set up in either Long Lama or Long San. There were talks of setting up a community college in Long Lama before and until today there is no news of the centre," said Dennis.ENDS.
Caption: ACT NOW: Dennis Ngau Jok.