PEMUDAH Told To Identify Idle Land For Food Production

The Star, 7 May, 2008.

PUTRAJAYA: The Government has tasked Pemudah with identifying unused land that can be given temporary occupation licences (TOL) for the purpose of food production.

Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Sidek Hassan said this was the Prime Minister's directive to the task force, as the Government stepped up efforts to increase food supply following the global shortage.

Pemudah is a task force to facilitate business, and whose members comprise representatives from the private and public sectors.

The opening up of more land for agriculture and food production is among the Government's initiatives and Pemudah's role is to ensure the smooth issuance of TOL to applicants.

“We have already started discussions on how we can best deliver but we need a bit more time to look into the mechanics of things.

“Pemudah will also be discussing with state governments on how we can implement this because land matters are under state jurisdiction,” he told reporters after presenting excellent service awards to 546 staff members of the Prime Minister's Department yesterday.

Among this year's recipient was Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Teoh Ai Hua.

On another matter, Sidek said he was happy with the performance of many ministries, departments and agencies that managed to stick to the “time frame” of making payments within 14 days after receiving invoices.

“Some ministries are so efficient that they pay all their bills in two weeks. In the rare event that payment is not received within 14 days, the party concerned would usually get paid three days after notifying the relevant ministries or departments,” he said.