by WU VUIDE
KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has instructed the 18 newly-appointed political secretaries to ensure that information on the State Government’s initiatives and policies reaches the grassroots.
“The duties of a political secretary are very important in our administrative system. I want all political secretaries to assist the government and their respective ministers, particularly in disseminating government policies.
“Importantly, this includes providing information on Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0, which will begin next year,” he said at the swearing-in ceremony of the political secretaries at Menara Kinabalu.
Hajiji recalled that during the last State General Election, many people he met were unaware of the initiatives and assistance provided by the government, despite these being widely publicised across various media platforms.
He cited issues such as the State Government’s recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) and the fact that 39 UEC holders had been awarded government scholarships, which he said were largely unknown within the Chinese community.
“I was surprised that many from the Chinese community did not know what the State Government has done, despite the many forms of assistance provided to Chinese schools and non-Muslim religious bodies.
“I also wondered why they were unaware of assistance that had never occurred before in Sabah’s history. The GRS-led State Government has allocated more than RM1.3 billion for education and human capital development,” he said.
Other assistance included free laptops, one-off university enrolment fee payments, subsidies for university students travelling home during holidays whether studying locally or in Peninsular Malaysia, assistance for SPM candidates each year, and the construction of 40 units of Rumah Mesra SMJ, which will be increased to 50 units for each State constituency, among others, to improve the people’s livelihood.
“All these have never been done before. Therefore, I want the political secretaries to play their role in disseminating this information to the people on the ground.
“We want the people to receive accurate information on the initiatives undertaken by the State Government, so that we are not accused of merely making empty promises,” he said.
Hajiji also said the State Government is considering requests from opposition Members of the State Legislative Assembly for assistance in the form of office management allocations.
“As a fair government, we will consider this, subject to the discretion of the Finance Minister,” he said.
He further cautioned political secretaries against abusing their positions for personal interests.
“I want political secretaries to carry out their entrusted duties to the best of their ability and to assist their respective ministers and the government.
“I will not hesitate to take action against anyone found betraying the trust given to them,” he said, adding that they must work as a team to ensure all government policies are implemented successfully,” added Hajiji.
The political secretaries appointed to the Chief Minister’s Department are Azrul Ibrahim (Chief Political Secretary), Datuk Effendi Mohamed Sunoh, Datuk Mazlan @ Joehari Manan, Datuk Arthur Sen, Datuk Norazlinah Arif, Datuk Lahirul Latigu, Noorazmahirah Noorzain and Mohd Isquzawan Israq Arsit.
Others are Dr Bonaventure Boniface (Works and Utilities Ministry), Johari @ Joe Suhaimin (Finance Ministry), Carlyle Lajimin (Industrial, Entrepreneurship and Transport Ministry), Abd Wahid Abd Razak (Local Government and Housing Ministry), Justinus Jalang (Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry), M Aziriansyah Ali (Youth, Sports Development and Creative Economy Ministry), Sabili Ahunang (Rural Development Ministry), Marius Masain (Women, Health and People’s Wellbeing Ministry), Datuk Raimie Unggi (Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry) and Herbert Roger (Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Ministry).
Hajiji and Cabinet ministers with the new political secretaries after the swearing-in ceremony.
