KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today issued a stern reminder against implementing agencies, saying that he will not accept any excuses for the delays in the completion of development projects.
The Prime Minister cited the water supply issues at Universiti Malaysia Sabah as an example when he issued such a reminder.
"I do not want any delay. After the announcement is made today, there should be no more excuses for delays such as the water issue at UMS
"There are so many excuses. I do not want (to hear them).
"Solve it... It is your problem. If the money is not enough, we will add more," Anwar said in his speech at the Himpunan Perdana Rakyat at Sabah International Convention Centre here.
Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said there were projects that took three months for developers to start meetings, five months to open tenders, and faced other issues that led to delays.
He added that such delays had caused the people to suffer from not having access to beneficial projects.
"I am also aware about the crowded schools, people who have no opportunities to do business, and youngsters who have no jobs.
"Every time I look at social media and the news, I read about a youngster climbing a tree for connectivity, students unable to go to school due to potholes on the road, or a suspension bridge with small planks.
"We inherited these problems, but we need to solve them to the best of our abilities," he said.
Anwar also called for continued good relations between the Sabah and federal governments for the benefit of the people.
He said there have always been government-to-government discussions on existing issues such as hardcore poverty, water, flooding, electricity, and infrastructure in Sabah.
He added that there are several projects, including RM1 billion budget to improve facilities for security enforcement agencies at the Malaysia-Indonesia borders here.
As for the criticism from the opposition who had questioned him on excluding Sabah and Sarawak from the targeted diesel subsidy exercise, Anwar suggested they come and better understand the situation in both states.