PUTRAJAYA: The joint public-private sector panel established to fight red tape has been given the broader task of improving the quality of life for all, beyond making it easier to do business in the country.

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak gave the Special Task Force to Facilitate Business (Pemudah) formed on Feb 7, 2007, the new task after giving the panel members a “pat on the back for a job well done.”

The Prime Minister said that in the face of global economic challenges, it was important that Malaysia ensured it remained competitive and stayed as the preferred destination for trade and investment.

“Pemudah has more than met my expectations.

“I envisage Pemudah will remain vital and relevant to the business community and people of Malaysia. I look forward to more improvements from Pemudah to ease doing business and improve the quality of life of our citizens,” he said at the launch of Pemudah’s Guidebook on Registration of Property in Malaysia and its 2009 annual report.

Also present were Pemudah’s co-chairmen Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Sidek Hassan and Tan Sri Yong Poh Kon who represented the private sector.

Najib said that by the end of April, Pemudah would be delivering improvements on five other areas – government procurement, labour legislation, closing a business, dealing with licences and trade facilitation.

He said the task force had “advanced” itself to tackle “higher-hanging fruits” over the past year by making significant contributions to the review policies on, among others, the abolishment of Foreign Investment Committee guidelines, distributive trade guidelines, competition policy and employment matters.

“The mark of this Government has been its willingness to consider the concerns of the business community and public at large. This government is all about being sensitive and responsive to the concerns of the people.

“I would like to see Pemudah doubling efforts to ensure it contributes significantly towards Government efforts to transform the economy,” Najib said.