Local govt not solely to blame for delays

Local govt not solely to blame for delays by R. Manirajan PUTRAJAYA: The local government alone should not be blamed for the level of corruption in the country. "You can't entirely blame the local gover nment as other government departments are also involved in things, like approval of plans," said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak yesterday when commenting on the cause of delay in approvals. "As I said before, other technical departments are also involved. "Not all powers are with the local government as the powers are also with other technical agencies ... so it should not be blamed (entirely)," he told newsmen after chairing the cabinet committee on local government here. He said he had to clarify the issue and confusion more so after the recent statements made about the local government. Najib said the committee also discussed the need to improve services at one-stop centres, especially approvals for certificate of fitness and building plans as well as client service. The committee, he said, has among other things, found that delays in approvals are sometimes due to nondecision-making junior officers from technical agencies being sent for major meetings. Some problems are due to developers changing their plans and consultants. "The committee has decided that from now on, only senior officers from the technical agencies be sent for such meetings to avoid delays." Najib said it was also known that certain developers have gone directly to technical agencies for approval. "It has also been found that as many as 46% of developers like to go directly to the technical agencies, and deal directly with them. From now on, technical committees need not entertain such developers, he said, adding that developers must submit their applications through the onestop centres. The committee also decided that all developers who want to carry out projects on land bigger than 1ha must submit an erosion and sediment control plan report when making an application, to prevent pollution. "We want to make sure our rivers are not polluted due to development and the Drainage and Irrigation Department will go through the report and make a decision in two weeks. On restaurants in local government areas, Najib said all owners must install a food and oil drainage or filter system at their outlets to prevent the drains from getting clogged-up.