THE State Government sees the need to institutionalise the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Secretariat as a coordination and implementation monitoring body to streamline work at all levels, including cooperation with stakeholders.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor said the Government is confident that with a more comprehensive and structured mechanism it would be able to accelerate achievements under the SMJ development plan.
He said starting March 30, the State Government would hold a programme called Ekadasa Sabah Maju Jaya, which is a discourse session with stakeholders for each Ministry.
In accordance with the meaning of Ekadasa which means the number 11, this session would be led by 11 pillars of the civil service in each Ministry, namely the Permanent Secretaries and will be led by the State Secretary.
“This approach is implemented as part of the manifestation of the determination and commitment of the State Government administration members and top management of each ministry. I want every level of leadership to be given the empowerment that comes with accountability for the trust borne. This includes reporting responsibilities to the people as key stakeholders and clients.
“This approach will be extended to all levels including the management of statutory bodies, public agencies to the district administration level.
“Our intention is to ensure that the government machinery at all levels upholds SMJ as a trust and implements this development plan with full commitment for the benefit of the people and the beloved homeland,” he said.
At the same time, Hajiji greatly appreciated the involvement of the Federal Government machinery in the SMJ first anniversary celebration, including participation in filling the showcase which is part of the activities of the event.
“I want the Federal Government machinery in Sabah to continue to be strengthened in line with the State Government machinery, as from the beginning we have aligned the implementation of the SMJ with the Shared Prosperity Vision (SPV) agenda.
“In this regard, as the Chairman of the State Development Action Council (MTPng), I want the report on the status of the achievements of federal agency initiatives that are related to the core and objectives of the SMJ development plan to be one of the MTPNg agenda.
“I want the synergy between the State and Federal Government machinery to be strengthened and move swiftly side by side on the right track towards the same destination.
“This is one of the objectives of organising this event, which is to ensure that all parties have a sense of belonging to the SMJ, and a sense of urgency to implement each SMJ initiative, as well as a sense of pride in accomplishment,” he stressed.
