THE retender of flood mitigation projects costing RM15 billion has allowed for more similar programmes to be implemented using the same amount of funds, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said.

“It is not that I am being malicious or that l want to attack others,” he said when delivering a policy speech at the PKR Special National Congress 2023 in Shah Alam today.

“I want to save the money so that it can be returned to the people. That’s my job (as prime minister).

“Look at the flood mitigation projects, for example. I mentioned in parliament that the allocation was RM15 billion and if you follow the previous scheme, it could only finance eight, or nine projects.

“When we redo it by applying selective tendering and doing the work in a more organised manner, we can add two or three more projects.

“Instead of one flood mitigation project in Johor, I added one more using the same funds, but managed efficiently and transparently.”

Anwar, who is also finance minister, said the government will continue to safeguard the well-being of the people and will not allow rich individuals and companies to avoid paying taxes. – Bernama, March 18, 2023.