9MP - Feedback vital for success

Give importance to people’s feedback

I refer to your report, “NGO: Public role in 9MP is vital” (Star, March 31).

I agree that public participation is important in the implementation of the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) in ensuring of its success. It should not be left exclusively to various department, officials and politicians.

It is heartening to note that the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has taken a deep personal interest in this plan and that he would go to the ground to monitor them.
The government and the implementers of the 9MP should be clear in their minds who should benefit from it – the rakyat, regardless of who they are. Citizens must feel more involved as the projects will benefit them, and all departments involved in the 9MP should be open to public feedback.

There is genuine fear that there would be are serious leakages, resulting in the funds not reaching the intended target groups namely the poor both urban and rural.

The rakyat themselves will be the best people to check this leakage but the government must provide proper channels for their feedback. It should genuinely encourage the people to give feedback and take these seriously in implementing their strategies.

Nowadays it appears that peoples’ comments are not given serious attention by the authorities and this result in a sense of frustration on the part of the citizens who are genuinely striving for the betterment of the community.

Newspapers, both print and online, carry numerous constructive criticisms, suggestions and opinions to improve productivity and standard of servive, but these are not taken seriously by the authorities. Television and radio only carry views of those aligned to the ruling elite and not the ordinary man on the street.

Suggestion boxes in various departments have become mere show pieces. They should be given due importance and the people encouraged to use them to provide useful feedback that is badly needed. Head of departments should study these comments with an open mind and not go no a witch-hunt to trace and reprimand those who gave the feedback.

Similarly complaints to head of departments should investigated and prompt action if found true. There is an unhealthy trend that the complainants are being considered as enemies and this must not be allowed to continue if we want to progress.

We fail to realize that complainants are also citizens and tax payers and as such have the rights to participate in the proper running of the nation and that is democracy is all about.

Dr.Chris Anthony