Kota Kinabalu: Government officers who fail to carry out their duties properly, resulting in Sabah’s development being affected through unnecessary delays, will be removed.
State Minister of Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Datuk James Ratib said he would raise the matter in the State Cabinet.
“I will propose for such government officers to be changed because their irresponsible attitude hindered the Government’s noble efforts to improve the people’s wellbeing,” he said, after delivering the keynote speech, attended by 10 government departments and agencies under his Ministry.
Also present were Permanent Secretary Maria Chong, directors of State Health Department, Sabah Welfare Department and Sabah Women Affairs Department, district officers, nurses and respective civil servants, among others.
James cited the construction of several health clinics which have been delayed due to red tape and failure of government officers carrying out tasks entrusted to them.
“A glaring example was a health clinic in Kg Mansiat in Sook built in 1979 before it was destroyed by fire in 2022.
“Until now it could not be rebuilt because there is no land title on the existing site.
“Imagine, for 44 years no title has been issued, after we checked. It seems it is still at the drafting stage and is a new application...don’t know where the original application was before.
“The original applications was made since 1979, but until now issuance of the land title has not been approved. This is strange and sad.
“The allocation for erecting new buildings for health clinics is there, but the construction cannot be carried out because of this problem which of course makes the people suffer.
“There are many other clinics experiencing similar problem,” said James, who is also Sabah State Health Exco.
Since occupying the post, he succeeded in resolving such similar problems until several health clinics in Sabah can be built.
Among them was the construction of a new clinic in Kampung Langkon, Kota Marudu which was delayed for more than 10 years due to a problem involving an access road about 200 meters to the existing health clinic site which belongs to Sawit Kinabalu.
The problem was solved when he intervened and negotiated with Sawit Kinabalu, which finally provided almost 10 acres as a new site for the health clinic that was better than the previous site and even closer to the main highway.
“It is very important to have good collaboration and ties with the State and Federal departments and agencies so that any issues including minor ones can be attended immediately and will not hamper implementation of any government project for the people.
“Hence, my determination is to be a liaison between the state and federal governments to ensure that all such problems are resolved because they involve the interests of the people.
“Alhamdulilah, such effort also involved construction of 23 health clinics and hospitals that have been delayed since 2009, and now we have completed them one by one, that will benefit the community,” James said.
