Kota Kinabalu: There is a lot we can learn and adopt from Sarawak in developing the State, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor.
“Sarawak has gained a lot in many ways. It is now one of the high income states in the country.
“It has a stable politics and its government officers are proactive. This has contributed to that State’s robust development,” he said.
He urged Sabah civil servants to emulate their Sarawak counterparts who are proactive and driving the state’s high economic growth and more success in many development aspects.
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“He wanted to find out more about our Housing Tribunal.
“Due to their stability and having huge State reserves of RM30 billion plus having proactive civil servants, Sarawak can do a lot of things that benefit the State and its people.”
He said Sabah’s civil servants, especially those tasked with implementing government policies, must be proactive when dealing with the public and investors.
He said government officials play a vital role in fulfilling the development agenda under the Sabah Maju Jaya roadmap.
Hajiji said having good programmes and effective policies to develop Sabah is not enough if implementers are not proactive.
“My hope is for them to have a positive mindset when discharging their responsibilities and carrying out tasks that can lift Sabah’s image and Sabahans and the government can be proud of.
“It is vital for them to have positive and helpful attitude when facilitating investors and attending to their needs apart from improving the delivery system,” he said.
Speaking to Daily Express in a special interview to mark his third year as Chief Minister, Hajiji said government officials also need to have commendable attitude such as taking initiatives when assisting investors such as speeding up approvals and documentation.
“For example, a small matter such as applying for trading licence. Don’t take too long to approve because they need to make a living.
“The Government cannot employ them, and thus they have to do business in order to earn a living.
“Therefore, government employees need to be efficient and not complicate matters involving investors, businessmen and the rakyat,” he said.
“If they don’t adopt a more proactive attitude, all will be in trouble.
“Our policies are good but if they are not proactive, then it would be difficult for us and the State to achieve all the planning and development agenda under SMJ direction,” Hajiji said.
For instance, he said, if an area is not meant for small traders to carry out their businesses, the enforcement authorities should not chase them away or confiscate their goods.
“Don’t simply give orders to them to leave the area. Instead, the enforcement officers show them the areas where they can still carry out their business.
“This is the type of positive attitude and approach I expect from government officers so that Sabah can achieve excellence.
“Sabah is a rich State and we have almost everything, but without having proactive civil servants and positive attitude, then Sabah may not achieve its aim to be a developed State,” Hajiji said.
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