The launch of the Pahang Urban Transformation Centre (UTC), the fourth after Kuala Lumpur, Melaka and Perak, proves the government's seriousness in bringing prosperity and providing better services to the people.

Speaking when opening the RM37 million Pahang UTC here today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the UTC was one and only in the world which provided the government and private sector services till 10pm.

A UTC is a one-stop centre established by the government under the Urban Transformation Programme to facilitate access for urban dwellers to services provided by government agencies, commercial houses and NGOs under one roof.

Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob said the fact that the Pahang UTC was completed in a record time of five weeks proved the efficiency and effectiveness of the transformation agenda under the Barisan Nasional (BN).

Speaking at the launch of the Pahang UTC, he said the UTC was capable of improving the quality of services to the people through strategic alliances between government agencies and the private sector.

"The BN government will strive for many more changes to provide services to the people in a conducive atmosphere," he said, adding that the transformation agenda would continue if the BN was returned to power in the 13th general election.

Meanwhile, Kuantan Municipal Council president Datuk Zulkifli Yaacob said the Pahang UTC, which housed more than 50 federal and state government department and agencies, banks, and businesses, was open daily from 8.30 am to 10 pm throughout the year except on public holidays.

"In addition, the UTC provides a gymnasium, an archery centre, an aerobic studio, a library and a 1Malaysia Clinic," he said.

"The public can run errands such as paying tithes, taxes, applying for identity cards or passports, and utilise recreational facilities besides shopping at the UTC," he added.

It has youth and NGO development and activity centres while a farmers' market is held at the UTC three times a week with the participation of about 380 traders.