Kota Kinabalu: Sabah civil servants will also be given a salary increment at the end of this year, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He said the State Government would adjust the salaries according to that planned by the Federal Government, slated for Dec 1.
“We will pay according to what has been decided. The amount will be the same as Putrajaya, insya’Allah,” he told reporters after launching a wellness centre at Alamesra, here, Thursday.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim last Friday (Aug 16) announced a 15 per cent pay rise for management and professional categories and 7 per cent for upper management in two phases.
SPONSORED CONTENT Hajiji says young business professionals' inputs needed to develop Sabah Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said he welcomed inputs from young business professionals to assist in policy formulation. Read more The Finance Minister said it was a motivator for the civil service to strive for the best for the nation while hoping it would address the inflation crisis.
However, Anwar said it would not be for those who are “slow, lazy and negligent” despite having been in the civil service for 20 years. The Federal Government would allocate more than RM10 billion for the pay hike.
Officers and professionals would receive an 8 per cent raise by Dec 1 and 7 per cent by Jan 1, 2026, while upper management 4 per cent by Dec 1, and the remaining 3 by Jan 1, 2026.
Civil servants in the upper management category would receive a 4pc raise in the first phase on Dec 1, and a 3 per cent raise in the second phase on Jan 1, 2026.
Meanwhile, Hajiji said the opening of the European Wellness Premier Centre of Excellence will see researchers sharing their expertise at the facility.
He said the medical wellness centre plays a role in a dynamic sector offering good returns and the satisfaction of contributing to advancements in healthcare.
“I am told this facility will offer more than conventional healthcare, combining the latest in medical science with the healing power of Sabah’s natural environment,” he said.
The centre is run by stem cell scientist Prof Datuk Seri Dr Mike Chan and his Sabahan wife, co-founder Prof Datuk Seri Dr Michelle Wong.
The Chief Minister praised Prof Chan and Prof Wong for making good on their pledge to bring their multi-million ringgit business here and to turn Sabah into a world-class medical wellness tourism hub.
“We are grateful for your investment in our state and our people. Your vision and perseverance have gifted Sabah with a facility that will undoubtedly transform lives,” he said.
Hajiji said Sabah is strategically located in Southeast Asia and is the core of the Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) and the Asean region.
“Through this regional cooperation, we have consistently championed deeper economic integration. I envision Sabah evolving into a regional link for many investment prospects, including medical wellness tourism,” he said.
Hajiji said the setting up of this centre was proof of investor confidence in Sabah being a good and conducive place to invest.
“It represents yet another significant venture and a leap forward in our commitment to prosper Sabah as outlined in our strategic development roadmap, the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya,” he said.
“In an era where health and wellness have become global priorities, Sabah is positioning itself at the forefront of this revolution. It embodies our commitment to not only preserving life but enhancing its quality,” added Hajiji.
The Chief Minister said it was positive that the investment into Sabah would have a ripple effect in job creation and attracting skilled professionals who will contribute significantly to the State’s economy.
“As we celebrate this milestone, let us also recognise the brilliance emerging from our own soil. Sabah is not just embracing advanced healthcare, we actively contribute to it.
Our home-grown talent is making waves in stem cell research and regenerative medicine, becoming celebrated figures in the global scientific community,” said Hajiji.
“Sabahans are proving to the world that our brilliance extends beyond our natural beauty to the frontiers of science. We’re not just recipients of progress, we are driving it, positioning Sabah as a true powerhouse in health and innovation,” he added.
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