SABAH spent RM1.479 billion or about 28.15 per cent of the RM5.254 billion allocated for 1,098 projects approved under the Second Rolling Plan (RP2) of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) as of June 12, this year.
The number is not far from the national performance which has now reached 36.80 per cent.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor hoped the State Government can surpass the national performance by implementing development projects according to schedule.
“I want all ministries and agencies to pay attention and follow up action in ensuring that planned development projects can be implemented according to schedule so that we can surpass the national performance.
“Any rules that are not effective, find new methods so that the implementation can be done as soon as possible. We need to work together as a team and this is used as a platform to share information to discuss and then find solutions to the development project implementation issues in the State,” he said when chairing the Second Sabah State Development Action Council (MTPNg) Meeting at Menara Kinabalu, Kota Kinabalu.
He also urged coordination between Federal and State departments and agencies involved in the implementation of the Housing Programme for the Poorest People (PPRT) in Sabah.
“This is important so that we know which areas and which agencies are involved in the construction of PPRT projects in the State. It is important because there is a great need for PPRT houses in Sabah. Therefore, I ask the relevant parties to convey the wishes of the State Government on the need for PPRT houses in this State.
“I was informed that 710 PPRT houses will be built in Sabah this year. Actually, this is not enough as we have requested as many as 2,000 units but only 710 were approved. However, the State Government will continue to demand to get more PPRTs built in Sabah,” he said.
Regarding the 69 sick projects in Sabah, Hajiji wanted the agencies or departments involved to pay serious attention to this matter.
“If it is due to a state government department or agency, I ask them not to delay projects from the Federal Government and give proper cooperation because every project, such as the construction of a school or hospital, is for the people.
“If the payment is late, we will strive to have it resolved, and if the contractor is causing the problem, action will be taken.
“I also ask for the power to be delegated to federal officials in Sabah if it involves projects from the Federal. This is to speed up the decision-making so the project can be completed according to schedule,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hajiji said he was also informed that the Implementation Coordination Unit of the Prime Minister’s Department (ICU, JPM) had taken proactive steps by organising the Zero Sick Project Laboratory on June 7 to 9 to identify improvements and innovations to smoothen project implementation.
“In addition, the platform is also used to determine solutions to problems or issues in the implementation of development projects.
“During this laboratory, the National Audit Department presented an analysis of the findings on the effectiveness of the implementation of government projects and one of the projects in the analysis of audit findings is the Sabah State Railway Upgrading Project.
“This is because the construction area (Halogilat to Tenom railway) has topography issues as well as landslides, river bank erosion and floods. These issues are not taken into account when approving project allocations and this shows the weakness of project planning,” he said.
Hajiji said the project, which should have been completed in 2019, only reached a completion percentage of 99.5pc until September 2021 after taking into account five extensions of time (EOTs) (748 days).
On the construction of the Customs, Immigration, Quarantine and Security (CIQS) Complex in Serudong, Kalabakan, the Chief Minister once again asked for it to be given priority.
“I would like to stress in this meeting that this matter should be given priority,” he said.
He also hoped that the synergy between the State and Federal Government machinery could be strengthened and move fast in tandem and on the right track towards the same destination.
“Through this togetherness, all parties certainly have a sense of belonging to the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) and a sense of urgency to implement each SMJ initiative, as well as a sense of accomplishment when to be part of the success of an initiative in the SMJ Development Plan,” he said.
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