adminKUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has ordered that any company found to be incapable of implementing the Universiti Malaya (UM) Student Residence Project be replaced to ensure the project can be completed ahead of schedule.
The Prime Minister said the appointed companies must prove their ability to shoulder responsibility, implement projects quickly and ensure good work performance.
“So, God willing, this project will be completed ahead of schedule. And if any company shows that it does not have the capability, we will replace it,” he said when speaking at the launch of the UM Student Residency Project, here today.
Also present were the Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir and UM Vice-Chancellor, Datuk Seri Professor Noor Azuan Abu Osman.
Commenting further, Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said the government would speed up the approval process by instructing all relevant ministries and departments, including the Finance Ministry and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), to provide full cooperation.
He said the instructions would be given in tomorrow’s Cabinet Meeting without affecting the integrity and governance aspects.
“So tomorrow in the Cabinet Meeting, I will give instructions so that all departments involved such as the Ministry of Finance and DBKL, which are important in terms of approval, are all ‘fast-tracked’.”
“We are worried that this (project) will involve stealing and taking commissions. But if we control all of this, we can do it on a very fast scale,” said Anwar.
Anwar added that Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, should call the relevant parties to emphasize that the project is under the direct attention of the Prime Minister.
Apart from that, the Prime Minister also emphasised the importance of architectural aspects in planning the project, including taking into account the environment, beauty and cultural values.
At the same time, Anwar reminded government-linked investment companies (GLICs) to focus on aspects of social responsibility, including helping to address student accommodation problems.
“Other companies (GLICs) are asked to focus on several areas.
“I want this (UM Student Residence) to be the best example and a new beginning to solve the problem of student accommodation,” the Prime Minister stressed.
The development of the UM Student Residence will be implemented in two phases with a total capacity to accommodate up to 40,000 students.
The first phase is expected to be completed in 2030, providing residential facilities for 10,000 students.
Meanwhile, for the second phase, it is planned to accommodate an additional 30,000 students.
-Agency
