PETALING JAYA: The Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry has pledged to minimise bureaucracy to ensure stakeholders will get assistance they need without much hassle.
Its minister Salahuddin Ayub said a fast track system will be established for the purpose, involving agencies under the ministry.
“We want the budget allocated for stakeholders, including farmers, breeders and fishermen, to reach them within a stipulated time.
“Fast track means to speed up the process without compromising several aspects such as competency and integrity,” Salahuddin said over a live broadcast of TV3’s Malaysia Hari Ini at Sri Pentas in Bandar Utama today.
Citing an example, Salahuddin said he was shocked to see what had happened at Kampung Parit Bulat in Muar yesterday, where the villagers related how they had applied for assistance two years ago but had yet to receive help for a fish breeding project.
“The ponds and infrastructure are there and it is listed as one of the National Blue Ocean Strategy project.
"However, until now they have yet to receive assistance. Therefore, I am really determined to reduce the bureaucracy.
“I want to see our youngsters and stakeholders become successful entrepreneurs. I don’t want to see them not getting any assistance despite working hard,” he said, adding he did not want to see such things happening under his watch.
He said when the ministry’s stakeholders are successful; it will not only improve their living standards but also reduce the country’s dependency on food imports.
“Currently, we are at 30 per cent and if we could reduce it by five percent in three years’ time, it is a good start for us,” he said.
Meanwhile on the government’s plan to abolish the rice industry monopoly, Salahuddin said the matter was brought to the recent cabinet meeting.
“Prime Minister (Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad) has asked me to prepare a Cabinet paper in order to further discuss the matter, which is part of Pakatan Harapan's manifesto.
“On how to address the issue of monopolisation, I will discuss it during Cabinet meeting after Hari Raya. As for now, I need to have special meeting at the ministerial level first.”
During the programme, Salahuddin also gave an assurance that extreme political interference will not have a place in the ministry.
He said this is to ensure professionalism among the officers and staff in the ministry.
“I am aware that we have government servants who have been very professional with their work. Thus, I would like to assure that I will not practice extreme political interference in managing the ministry.
“There is no need to wear clothes with political parties logo when we go to the ground to meet our stakeholders. I want to restore the dignity of government officers,” he said.
He said it is important to ensure professionalism as it will enable the ministry to be well managed and efficient in delivering the goods to the people.