Up To Rm3b Saved After Flood Mitigation Projects Jana Wibawa Cancelled

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The country is set to save up to RM3 billion after the cancellation of RM15 billion worth of flood mitigation projects and the RM7 billion Jana Wibawa scheme.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said this while tabling the Budget 2023 in the Dewan Rakyat today.
"The RM15 billion flood mitigation projects and the RM7 billion Jana Wibawa programme, which were done through direct tender before this, have been cancelled.
"After they are re-tendered in a transparent manner, the country is expected to save up to RM3 billion.
"This huge saving will be redistributed to benefit other rakyat projects," Anwar said.
Under the spotlight
The Jana Wibawa scheme had recently come under the spotlight after two Bersatu leaders were charged in court with alleged corruption related to the initiative.
Jana Wibawa, or Program Jana Ekonomi Pemerkasaan Kontraktor Bumiputera (Bumiputera Contractor Empowerment Economic Generation Programme), was introduced in November 2020 during Muhyiddin Yassin’s administration.
The programme was meant to expedite the delivery of government projects to help stimulate Malaysia’s post Covid-19 economic recovery and to help bumiputera contractors in the construction industry build capacity to become more competitive.
On Feb 21, the MACC pressed charges against Bersatu information chief Wan Saiful Wan Jan and Segambut Bersatu deputy chief Adam Radlan Adam Muhammad in relation to the Jana Wibawa scheme.
Wan Saiful was accused of soliciting a bribe to help Napturis Sdn Bhd secure an RM232 million road project and receiving RM6.96 million as an inducement to help the same company secure a letter of award for the project.
Adam Radlan was accused of seeking a bribe of between 3.5 and seven percent of the value of a project, in exchange for help in securing a letter of award for a project under the Jana Wibawa programme.
Community’s role
Meanwhile, the RM15 billion flood mitigation projects were announced under Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s administration in October 2022.
At the time, it was announced that the government has allocated RM15 billion for its flood mitigation plan up to 2030 as part of its long-term strategy to adapt to climate change nationwide.
Anwar had said in December 2022 he was halting flood mitigation projects worth RM7 billion, which were supposedly approved via direct tender.
In his Budget 2023 tabling today, Anwar said six flood mitigation projects will be re-tendered this year latest by June.
The National Disaster Management Agency will also be allocated RM150 million for necessary assets, a warning system, and disaster aid to the affected rakyat.
The Malaysian Armed Forces, the Fire and Rescue Department and the People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) will also be given RM50 million to prepare equipment and other assets in facing disasters.
Anwar also said the community’s role in dealing with disasters will also be strengthened, as the government will prepare RM20 million under the Concerned Community Organisation Grant which will benefit 2,000 resident associations. - Mkini

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