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KOTA KINABALU – Unchecked “Little Napoleons” within the state government can impede progress and obstruct Sabah’s plans for progress, said Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan.
The deputy chief minister said the “prevalence” of such officers in the state civil service was at a “concerning” level.
“They abuse their power by enforcing regulations excessively and sometimes engage in activities that inadvertently deter investors.
“Such behaviour can significantly curtail opportunities vital for Sabah’s advancement,” he said in a statement today.
As such, he said he supports calls by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor for vigilant supervision of department heads.
Those with positions of authority must work to boost rather than stifle investments in Sabah, as the state needs these for economic development and job creation, he said.
Kitingan also called for ethical conduct among government officers and urged the highest integrity standards so that Sabah’s reputation remains untarnished and appealing to investors.
Last Friday, Hajiji said action will be taken against any department head found impeding state efforts to bring in investments.
The chief minister said this after revealing instances of heads of agencies imposing their own rules on investors who had expressed interest in Sabah. – The Vibes, June 19, 2023