IPOH: Government agencies must be pro-active and efficient in their delivery system, says former Perak mentri besar Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir.

       The Pangkor assemblyman, during his debate on the motion of thanks to the Royal Address at the state assembly sitting Tuesday (March 29), said the people must not be burdened.

       “For example, in my constituency, a family whose house is almost collapsing is still waiting for aid despite the application submitted in March last year.

       “Imagine, me being the former MB who had put in the application to help the family, the response is still so slow, how about the rest of the assemblymen, and the normal people seeking help.

       “The application has already been approved, but the implementation is taking ages,” he said.

       Zambry said the government has good policies, but the implementation needs improvement.

       “We must all work as a team to ensure that the people are not burdened but instead they are given proper help in the quickest time possible.

       “It should not be the case when the people have the perception that only when the general elections are nearing will we go and listen to their problems. Solutions must be delivered at all times,” he added.

       Several other assemblymen both from Barisan Nasional and the Opposition concurred with Zambry.

       Teoh Yee Chern (PH - Astaka) gave an example of how he had gone to a government agency last Friday at 11am to hand in a letter only to find pitch darkness.

       “The only person available was the security guard, who told me that the system was down and that everyone else was at a ‘different place’,” he said.

       “It is time to look at replacing unfit and incapable officers,” he suggested.

       Tan Kar Hing (PH - Simpang Pulai) agreed that the policies were there, but the implementation was at a snail's pace.

       “Maybe is also time to relook into the mechanism used, and what is relevant or otherwise,” he added.