Tuaran: Stern action will be taken against any department head found hindering the State Government’s efforts to bring investors into the State, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor
He said there have been instances where department heads were found to unilaterally impose their own rules for investors interested to invest in Sabah.
“By doing so, they have sent the wrong signals to these investors who then shy away from pursuing investment interests in the State.
“I am watching and if this is the case, I will not hesitate to take stern action,” he said at the swearing-in ceremony and presentation of appointment letters to 19 Tuaran District Councillors for the 2023/2025 term at the Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort, here, Friday.
Hajiji said the role of the department heads was to facilitate investments.
“If everything is in order, there is no need to make it difficult for the investors,” he said, adding the State Government of the day is investor-friendly.
“We want to create more jobs for the people, that is why we are bringing in more investors to Sabah,” he added.
In the past two years, he said, the total investments pumped into Sabah amounted to more than RM30 billion.
Hajiji said the latest was the Singapore-based Esteel Group bringing in a total investment of US$2 billion at the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park (Sogip).
He said this initiative will not only create job opportunities for the people but will also create big economic spin-offs.
The Esteel investment would produce hot briquette iron (HBI) and flat steel at Sogip in southwestern Sabah for the first phase, to be followed by multi-billion dollar investments to produce green steel products in subsequent phases.
On another note, the Chief Minister urged all district councillors to play their role and discharge their responsibilities to their level best.
“The role of the councillors as part of the local government is vital, particularly in ensuring that developments in their respective areas are done properly and systematically.
“Do not be complacent. Monitor the development in your area well to avoid it becoming a ‘rojak’ (haphazard) development,” Hajiji said.
For the Tuaran councillors, he said, they needed to capitalise on the district’s proximity to the State Capital, about 40km away, by ensuring the development spillover can be felt by the people in the district.
He urged all councillors and management of the local authority to be sensitive and proactive in implementing government policies besides being able to “think outside the box”.
“Make sure customers are satisfied with the services in their dealings with the Government,” he said.
Also present were Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, who is also State Local Government and Housing Minister, and State Rural Development Minister Datuk Jahid Jahim, among others.
