Melaka Launches Guideline Book For JKAS

MELAKA, July 18 (Bernama) -- The Melaka government today launched a guideline book for the state’s Public Private Partnership Committee (JKAS), aimed at fostering stronger synergy between the public and private sectors to advance the state’s sustainable and inclusive economic agenda.

Its Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh, said the book serves as the primary reference document for JKAS, covering various aspects including technical requirements, investor-friendly practices, outcome-driven approaches, responsiveness to current needs and alignment with state and federal development policies and the principles of 'Environmental, Social and Governance'.

He said the launch of the book was in line with the rebranding of the committee, previously known as the State Privatisation Committee, as part of efforts to strengthen its role, which is coordinated by the State Economic Planning Unit (UPEN) through the State Public Private Partnership Section.

"JKAS functions as a key facilitating entity that coordinates, evaluates and approves public-private partnership proposals systematically...from the initial review stage, through comprehensive assessment, to post-implementation monitoring,” he told reporters after launching the committee here today.

He stressed the need for all technical and related agencies to adopt the guidelines consistently in evaluating public-private partnership projects to avoid duplication, delays, and uncertainty in the decision-making process.

He said that through the implemented initiative, the state government continues to provide opportunities for collaboration across various scales—whether large or small—as long as they add value to the state’s economy, generate employment, and safeguard the overall interests of the people.

Earlier, in his speech, Ab Rauf said that to date, more than 50 companies have actively collaborated with the state government in various key sectors, including property development, ports, health, education and tourism.

He said that since 2014, the public-private partnership initiative had contributed more than RM270 million to the state's revenue, which is between 20 to 30 per cent of the state's total annual revenue.

"This figure is more than just a statistic, it reflects investors’ confidence in the state’s administrative efficiency,  economic policies and the government's consistent commitment to implementing the 'ease of doing business' principle,” he said.

The state government, he said, will continue to strengthen business-friendly investment policies and improve governance efficiency to ensure all initiatives are executed smoothly, transparently and sustainably.

The ceremony also saw an exchange of agreements and the handover of replica cheques from two sea reclamation concession companies, totalling RM5.17 million, namely Parkland Diversified Sdn Bhd (RM3.5 million) and Yayasan Melaka (RM1.67 million), underscoring the companies’ commitment to the ongoing development project.

-- BERNAMA