KUDAT: The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Government has never victimised any officers or Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of state agencies appointed under the previous Parti Warisan administration.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor revealed that when he first assumed office nearly five years ago, he met with the officers concerned and assured them they could continue serving the Government.
He said this was in stark contrast to Warisan’s approach during its more than two years in power, when it was keen on cutting, victimising and pressuring anyone who was not aligned with them.
“When they (Warisan) formed the government, they did not prioritise the people. Instead, they resorted to removing, taking revenge and pressuring individuals.
“I have been Chief Minister for nearly five years, and I have never victimised anyone, even those appointed by Warisan,” he said during the Dinner with the Sabah Chief Minister at the Grand Ballroom, Kudat Golf & Marina Resort, on Friday.
Also present were Deputy Chief Minister and State Works Minister Datuk Ir Shahelmey Yahya; Tanjong Kapor Assemblyman Datuk Ben Chong; and Tempasuk Assemblyman Datuk Mohd Arsad Bistari.
Hajiji further explained that the water issues faced in Sabah under the GRS administration stemmed from the Warisan government’s decision to terminate the contracts of eight water concessionaire companies.
“Why do we have water problems now, especially shortages? Do you know that when Warisan took over, they terminated the contracts of eight water concessionaires.
“As a result, these companies took the matter to court, and the Government lost RM315 million in compensation without gaining any benefit,” he said.
Nevertheless, Hajiji stressed that his GRS-led government has continued to take responsibility by implementing measures to address the situation.
“Now it is the Government’s responsibility. We are upgrading water treatment plants, the Minister is here, and we have allocated RM300 million for the work.
“In Papar, RM380 million has been set aside to upgrade the Kogopon plant from 40 million litres per day (MLD) to 80 MLD, which will be completed next year.
“In Tawau and other areas, we have also allocated funds to tackle water problems. The people must know this, do not believe social media narratives claiming that GRS has failed, that there is no water, or that roads are full of potholes with Hajiji’s face plastered everywhere,” he said.
Hajiji noted that a similar situation occurred with the Pan Borneo Highway project, which was delayed for more than four years after the consultant company was terminated under Warisan’s administration.
He said Warisan had failed to bring about meaningful change during its two-plus years in government but is now blaming the current administration after losing power.
For this reason, Hajiji urged the people of Sabah to treat the coming 17th State Election (PRN17) as a golden opportunity to retain the GRS-Pakatan Harapan (PH) government under his leadership.
“Do not waste this chance. If a government helps the people, especially the poor, the underprivileged, students and so on, while strengthening our economy and industries, why should we reject it in the next election?“I hope this time our people will place their trust in GRS candidates, wherever they are fielded. God willing, we will form the government after the election. Believe me,” he said.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor revealed that when he first assumed office nearly five years ago, he met with the officers concerned and assured them they could continue serving the Government.
He said this was in stark contrast to Warisan’s approach during its more than two years in power, when it was keen on cutting, victimising and pressuring anyone who was not aligned with them.
“When they (Warisan) formed the government, they did not prioritise the people. Instead, they resorted to removing, taking revenge and pressuring individuals.
“I have been Chief Minister for nearly five years, and I have never victimised anyone, even those appointed by Warisan,” he said during the Dinner with the Sabah Chief Minister at the Grand Ballroom, Kudat Golf & Marina Resort, on Friday.
Also present were Deputy Chief Minister and State Works Minister Datuk Ir Shahelmey Yahya; Tanjong Kapor Assemblyman Datuk Ben Chong; and Tempasuk Assemblyman Datuk Mohd Arsad Bistari.
Hajiji further explained that the water issues faced in Sabah under the GRS administration stemmed from the Warisan government’s decision to terminate the contracts of eight water concessionaire companies.
“Why do we have water problems now, especially shortages? Do you know that when Warisan took over, they terminated the contracts of eight water concessionaires.
“As a result, these companies took the matter to court, and the Government lost RM315 million in compensation without gaining any benefit,” he said.
Nevertheless, Hajiji stressed that his GRS-led government has continued to take responsibility by implementing measures to address the situation.
“Now it is the Government’s responsibility. We are upgrading water treatment plants, the Minister is here, and we have allocated RM300 million for the work.
“In Papar, RM380 million has been set aside to upgrade the Kogopon plant from 40 million litres per day (MLD) to 80 MLD, which will be completed next year.
“In Tawau and other areas, we have also allocated funds to tackle water problems. The people must know this, do not believe social media narratives claiming that GRS has failed, that there is no water, or that roads are full of potholes with Hajiji’s face plastered everywhere,” he said.
Hajiji noted that a similar situation occurred with the Pan Borneo Highway project, which was delayed for more than four years after the consultant company was terminated under Warisan’s administration.
He said Warisan had failed to bring about meaningful change during its two-plus years in government but is now blaming the current administration after losing power.
For this reason, Hajiji urged the people of Sabah to treat the coming 17th State Election (PRN17) as a golden opportunity to retain the GRS-Pakatan Harapan (PH) government under his leadership.
“Do not waste this chance. If a government helps the people, especially the poor, the underprivileged, students and so on, while strengthening our economy and industries, why should we reject it in the next election?“I hope this time our people will place their trust in GRS candidates, wherever they are fielded. God willing, we will form the government after the election. Believe me,” he said.