IT is not necessary to expand the size of the State Cabinet to accommodate State-level opposition parties following the recent realignment with the Pakatan Harapan-led Unity Government, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor.
“But if necessary, the State Constitution will need to be amended,” he said. He did not elaborate.
He also chided district officers and senior civil servants who unnecessarily delay the implementation of projects.
He said they must carry out projects for which allocations have been approved and completed in accordance with the schedule or else Sabah would continue lagging behind as the second poorest state in the country.
“I am sad to receive reports that state-level development progress has not been encouraging with Sabah only realising about 60 per cent of its overall projects for last year and this year.
“I am seriously calling on project implementers among ministries, departments and government agencies that they must carry out the projects on time when allocations have been issued.
“I have instructed the State Secretary to find out from ministries that ask for projects and funding is issued but could not implement them as a result of government officers who are ‘memandai-menandai’ (smart alec),” he said when officiating the Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (Sedia) strategic networking with district administrations at Menara Kinabalu, Kota Kinabalu, Dec 22.
Also present were Deputy Chief Minister cum Industrial Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, State Secretary Datuk Seri Sr Safar Untong, Kota Kinabalu Mayor Datuk Noorliza Awang Alip and senior officials.
The Chief Minister said he received reports about district officers who acted as if they are the kings in their districts.
“From now, I will act tough and firm against them. I will personally monitor their key performance index and public delivery performance.
“If the reports are true, I will take action. Don’t think that the Chief Minister is kind and soft-hearted,” said Hajiji.
He said when projects fail to be implemented, the people would blame him being the Chief Minister when, in fact, the problem is due to implementers at State Government-level, including in local authorities.
Hajiji, who is also Sedia Chairman, also warned civil servants not to slow down processing applications of foreign and local investors to Sabah.
He said it is imperative for them to expedite the process and further facilitate these investors’ applications who want to open businesses or factories in Sabah as the Government is investor-friendly.
“When they delay the process of approval, Sabah will continue to be the poorest in the nation.
“Some civil servants do not know the importance for Sabah to have these investments because spending money or investing in the State means creating many job opportunities for Sabahans.
“Failing to do so will cause our local youths especially graduates to migrate and look for jobs in the peninsula and Singapore,” said Hajiji.
“I set the State’s Hala Tuju based on the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development plan and policies so that Sabah can be a State that is developed and friendly towards investors both domestic and foreign.
He cited Esteel which the Sabah Government signed a land lease agreement for oil and gas to create between 10,000 and 20,000 jobs.
“I have received many reports and will take action against government officers not following the Government’s work ethics,” he said.
Hajiji also called on local authorities to be fully prepared during the rainy season which may cause flooding in their respective areas.
He said they need to be proactive by cleaning up drains and clearing all the blockages not only in residential areas but also in townships, irrespective of overlapping jurisdictions.
“The flood and rainfall for this year are higher than in previous years.
“Hence, district officers, presidents and City Hall Mayor do not wait for instructions or directives from the State Secretary or the elected people representatives to clean up all drains.
“Also do not wait for public complaints to do the jobs but work together in cleaning and clearing the drains in facing the monsoon season,” he said.
On the latest development on Tanjung Aru Eco Development Project (Taed), Hajiji who is also the State Finance Minister said the complete development plan for Taed would be ready next year.
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