Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has renewed his call for civil servants to eliminate bureaucratic delays and fast-track solutions for critical issues affecting the rakyat.
“I want all of you to be proactive and sensitive to the needs of the rakyat. Cut bureaucracy and speed up solutions, especially for infrastructure, water, and electricity,” he said at a meeting with senior government officials at Menara Kinabalu on Monday.
He stressed that all approved projects must be implemented without delay to ensure immediate benefits for the people.
Hajiji’s latest call underscores longstanding issues in the state—poor roads, water shortages, and electricity disruptions.
In July 2024, he had ordered state agencies to urgently resolve bottlenecks delaying development projects, noting that 25 out of 1,218 state projects had been classified as ‘sick.’
A year earlier, in June 2023, he instructed department heads and district officers to accelerate the completion of federal-funded projects in Sabah, warning against unnecessary delays.
And in October 2024, he pushed for federal development projects for schools and clinics to proceed without waiting for land titles, arguing that such bureaucracy was holding back essential services.
The fatal accident of a father of three earlier this month also drew his attention, prompting him to direct the Public Works Department to urgently address potholes and road damage.
Despite these repeated calls, infrastructure and public service delays remain a persistent issue in the state.
Hajiji highlighted that Sabah’s economic growth remains strong, with state revenue hitting RM7 billion last year, boosted by investment-friendly policies.
He pointed to Sipitang Oil and Gas Park (SOGIP) reaching full occupancy and Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) nearing capacity as indicators of investor confidence.
On Sabah’s oil and gas sector, he said the Commercial Collaboration Agreement (CCA) with Petronas has allowed the state to secure more benefits, with ongoing talks for an even greater share.
“This has never been achieved before, and we must keep the momentum going,” he said.
To improve service efficiency, Hajiji said the State Cabinet has approved the hiring of more professionals, particularly engineers, for the Works and Water Departments.
“These positions are being filled to speed up project implementation and ensure better efficiency. We need to act fast to resolve water supply issues,” he said.
He directed the Water Department to submit an immediate report on Sandakan’s ongoing water crisis, where only one of three treatment plants is operational.
The Chief Minister also warned the concessionaire managing Sandakan’s water supply to fulfill its contract or face action.
“The rakyat should not suffer because of inefficiencies. We must act now and deliver results,” he said. – February 11, 2025.
