Y.Bhg Tan Sri Sidek Hassan
Chief Secretary to the Government
and Co-Chair of PEMUDAH

Y.Bhg Tan Sri Yong Poh Kon
Immediate Past-President of the Federation
Of Malaysian Manufactures and Co-Chair of PEMUDAH

PEMUDAH members

Distinguished guests

Ladies and gentlemen

1. It is a pleasure for me to be here with you this morning to celebrate the launching of the second PEMUDAH Annual Report. My heartiest appreciation goes out to PEMUDAH and its secretariat for inviting me to officiate this happy occasion.


2. This annual report marks another year of PEMUDAH’s efforts and achievements. PEMUDAH, or the Special Taskforce to Facilitate Business, was formed on the 7th of February 2007 and it began its first year by hitting the ground running. I recall that almost immediately, several working groups were formed in order to tackle specific issues. By the end of PEMUDAH’s first year, many initiatives had been undertaken by both PEMUDAH and their partner agencies in the public sector to improve Malaysia’s business environment, from tax processes to land registration.


3. Therefore, I would like to record my appreciation to the members of PEMUDAH – sterling individuals from both the private and public sectors – who have worked tirelessly and productively these last two years, all for love of the nation and a desire to see our country succeed. Thank you for your time, your ideas and your lasting enthusiasm.


4. Over the pass hour and a half I was briefed by PEMUDAH on their latest work, much of the early focus has been on ‘low-hanging fruits’, where they worked with Ministries and Agencies to bring about improvements in efficiency, for examples, PEMUDAH’s collaboration with the Royal Customs Department has resulted in reducing the time for exports clearance from 3 days to 1 day.


5. Other significant improvements have been made in tax administration and property registration. Electronic payments have been facilitated and now 89 Government agencies have started accepting on-line payments for 148 services. A one-stop centre has been set-up in the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Corporation, SMIDEC, to expedite the registration of businesses. The process to apply for expatriates and skilled workers employment at the Immigration Department have been improved.


6. As a result of PEMUDAH’s commitment and the efforts of the Malaysian civil service, Malaysia moved from 24th to 20th place in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business index 2009. Malaysia also rose from 23rd to 19th position in I.M.D’s 2008 World Competitiveness Yearbook. This progress in international country rankings has been reflected by tangible improvements in the business environment.


7. These are great achievements and a testimony to the benefits of real private-public sector partnership. Thank you PEMUDAH and thank you members of the civil service who have responded so positively – translating plans and proposals into reality. Even as I commend the dedication and commitment of the PEMUDAH members, I stress here that the realisation of change and improvement is the work of many, not a few. My appreciation and the nation’s appreciation go to all of you, private and public sector alike, who have been involved in this great mission.


8. Rather than rest on its laurels, I am happy to see that PEMUDAH intends to pick up an even greater pace, PEMUDAH has placed much more on its plate this year, besides pursuing more efficiency improvements, PEMUDAH will also contribute ideas in the review of some policies which impact business such as fair trade practices, foreign workers and government procurement. I am pleased to know that you are still keeping to your goal of moving Malaysia to be amongst the top 10 most competitive economies. I al also pleased that PEMUDAH has put a monitoring mechanism in place. This is necessary to ensure that the improvement become an ingrained part of the system.

    

   Ladies and Gentlemen

9. The global economy entered 2009 on a challenging note. The current economic crisis, which began with the crash of the subprime credit market in the U.S, is unprecedented in scope and reach. Goverments the world over are making their very best attempts at policy responses – crafting economic stimulus packages and the like, to avoid prolonged negative effects.


10. The Malaysian Government is concerned about these upheavals but we are in a state of readiness. Our experiences of past crises have stood us in good stead and we are prepared to act in a collective and coordinated fashion to minimise the impact of the global economic downturn. It may not be possible to avoid hardship or difficulty entirely, but we will certainly strive to avert protracted unemployment and suffering.


11. Be assured, despite what you may hear or read, the government is doing its utmost to ensure that Malaysia weathers this economic storm. The package to be announced on the 10th of March will be a comprehensive one that takes on board feedback from the business community and that will focus on measures facilitating commerce and job preservation.


12. In the face of these global economic challenges it is important that Malaysia continues its drive to ensure that this country remains competitive. In this context, I envisage that PEMUDAH will remain vital and relevant to the business community and the citizens of Malaysia in the years ahead. During these trying times we must continue to forge stronger links between the private and public sectors. Neither the government nor the business community will be able to achieve a measure of success without the support and cooperation of the other.


13. The government can provide the safety net, allocate funds to facilitate human capital development and provide the necessary incentives to create a conducive investment environment. But for these measures to bear truly meaningful results, the private sector must be our partner and complement the initiatives undertaken by the Government. The private sector must continue to be an active engine of the economy.


14. The difficult economic situation does not prohibit us from pursuing excellence. I look forward to more improvements and even more creative solutions from PEMUDAH not only to enhance Malaysia’s business environment but also to improve the quality of life for our citizens.


15. On this note it is with pleasure that I officially launch the second Annual Report of PEMUDAH for the year 2008.

Thank you