Set up task force to cut red tape, Anwar told

“Effective implementation needs to be transformative and cross-ministerial. No challenge is to be handled by only one ministry, and the reorganisation of government machinery to enable effective coordination is required,” he said in a Facebook post.

“A dedicated task force reporting directly to the prime minister is needed. Its progress needs to be closely monitored, (and it also has to) announce its targets and report achievements.”

Noor Azlan also said Anwar’s government faced two main economic challenges.

Apart from formulating a strategy to deal with the global economic slowdown predicted for next year, the economist said Anwar would also have to address structural obstacles that affect the quality of life for Malaysians.

“What is the new government doing to ensure that the stagnant global growth forecasted for 2023 does not affect Malaysia’s economic recovery and the public’s welfare?” he asked.

Noor Azlan also said it was crucial for Anwar, a former finance minister, to tackle the structural issues that affect Malaysians’ quality of life and hinder the country’s competitiveness such as food security, the high cost of living, unemployment, the lack of job opportunities and investor confidence.

“These require political will, dedication and commitment to solve,” he said.

“For too long, these structural challenges have been discussed and various decisions have been announced. (But) implementation is the government’s main challenge.”