'Rapport between BN reps, civil servants vital'

NST

KUANTAN: Barisan Nasional elected representatives have been told to further improve their working relationships with civil servants to ensure benefits of development projects are enjoyed by their constituents.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is also BN chairman, said feedback on problems and requests from the grassroots collected by state assemblymen could assist civil servants in implementing projects.

"Closer co-operation between those elected and people who administer development is crucial in ensuring the success of efforts to improve the social and economic standing of the people."

Speaking at a dinner in conjunction with a gathering of BN state assemblymen here yesterday, Abdullah said major development projects initiated by the government would not meet their objectives without co-operation.

He said assemblymen could play their role in such projects by furthering the interests of their constituents in their capacity as local leaders.
"You are the front-liners who can ensure that the benefits of all those big projects flow to the people in your area."

The prime minister said a close working relationship between the assemblymen and civil servants in the implementation of development projects would also instil confidence among the people on the government’s initiative to improve their wellbeing.