Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said complacency and a lack of responsibility cause recurring wastage of taxpayers’ money in government projects in Malaysia. He spoke out about the issue publicly on August 6 when criticizing the water treatment plant (LRA) project in Kedah, calling for better oversight and accountability in project management [1, 2, 3].
Akmal Nasrullah has monitored the Kedah LRA project since it was under the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) before coordination shifted to his Economy Ministry. Despite raising repeated concerns, he said his warnings were ignored until problems worsened. "I have done all I could, but my warnings went unheeded until it was too late," he said [1, 2, 3].
He stressed that his criticism is not to blame any party but to highlight the need to fix shortcomings in managing government projects. "Others say this is not my job, that my role as a minister is only to look after policy. But I make no apology for saying that we can no longer continue with business as usual," Akmal Nasrullah said, responding to critics who felt he should not speak on project management [1].
The minister emphasized the problem is both policy-related and a matter of changing attitudes and mindsets among those handling government projects. He said persistent issues have continued despite Malaysia gaining independence nearly 70 years ago and undergoing multiple government changes [1, 2, 3].
"I know some people are unhappy with me for sharing what happened with the LRA project in Kedah. Some have even called me outspoken because I highlighted weaknesses in the management of projects funded by taxpayers’ money for the benefit of the people," he added [1].
Akmal Nasrullah called for reforms that address both management practices and accountability measures to prevent further waste. His comments spotlight ongoing challenges in delivering public projects efficiently in Malaysia.
The Economy Ministry will continue overseeing the Kedah water project and plans to implement stricter monitoring protocols in upcoming tenders and government initiatives.
