Abdul Rahman prepared to implement programmes to bring people closer to EPU

Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan yesterday said he was prepared to implement the programmes lined up to bring Economic Planning Unit (EPU) closer to the people.

The newly-appointed Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of the EPU said, the programmes aimed at making the EPU more comprehensible and appreciated by the people, hence not to be seen as being in the exclusive grip of economists, businessmen and policy makers.

"We must strive to explain important issues in the simplest way possible in a bid to bring the EPU closer to the people.

"By doing this, I'm sure we will be able to help the people in wider scopes to understand the dynamic challenges of the economy," he said in a statement here.

Abdul Rahman's new portfolio was part of the Cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Monday. He is formerly Urban Well-being, Housing and Local Government Minister.

While expressing his gratitude to Najib for the confidence and trust placed in him, Abdul Rahman said EPU had a vital role to play in shaping the social and economic development of the country.

"I'm sure that the issues of economy will also play an important role in the casting of votes at the 14th general election," he said in the statement.

At an event in KL Sentral, Abdul Rahman told reporters, he would meet with the prime minister to discuss the national economic agenda.

"I have to discuss with the prime minister as this is a very big portfolio which once held by distinguished figures such as (Tan Sri) Abdul Wahid Omar and Tun Daim Zainuddin," he explained.

He said he also believed that Tan Sri Noh Omar was capable of leading the Ministry of Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government due to his (Noh) previous experience as a federal minister.

"I want to congratulate Noh for being chosen to lead the ministry, I believe in his capabilities.

"His experience as a federal minister will surely take the ministry to greater heights," he told reporters after distributing packed iftar meals to members of the public at KL Sentral here yesterday.