Address development projects obstacle swiftly - Hajiji

23 July 2024

KOTA KINABALU : Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor has instructed departments and agencies to promptly address the challenges impeding the progress of development projects in Sabah.

Leading the State Development Action Council (MTPNg) meeting at Menara Kinabalu today, the Chief Minister highlighted that out of the 1,218 ongoing projects in Sabah, 25 have been identified as 'sick'.

These projects encompass areas such as energy, water, electricity, schools, health facilities, and other essential amenities that have not met the designated timelines for completion.

"All these projects are of public importance, hence every effort should be taken to prioritise and ensure their completion," he said.

The Council was also briefed on the duly formed Special Joint State-Federal Committee tasked to monitor development projects in Sabah, especially problem projects.

On the hardcore poor eradication programme, the council was briefed by the SMJ secretariat that Sabah was on the right track to achieve its target of zero-hardcore poor.

The Chief Minister commented that it was important that the State Government through the SMJ secretariat introduce interventions to further lower hardcore poor incidents in the state.

Earlier in his welcoming remarks, Hajiji urged the federal and state implementing agencies to maximise usage of the RM6.6 billion allocated by the Federal Government under the National 2024 Budget for development in Sabah this year.

The allocation covers various development programmes that included flood mitigations, rehabilitation of the Tuaran River, construction of new schools, repairing dilapidated

schools and building new clinics and Tamu Desa premises.

"It is imperative for all departments and agencies in Sabah to fully utilise the allocation and the devolution of authority for technical agencies in Sabah to implement development projects costing below RM50 million to spur the state's economic growth," he said.

He said the federal and state implementing agencies must strengthen relations between.them, improve performances and enhance project qualities for the benefit of the people.

"We have passed the middle of the year so I want all of us to scrutinise and review our performance against our respective target in terms of the federal and state development project implementation.

Up to July 15 this year, Sabah had spent RM1.791 billion or 35.46 per cent compared to the national performance of 43.45 per cent under the Fourth Rolling Plan of the 12th Malaysia Plan.

The meeting was attended by all State Cabinet Ministers and Federal Ministers, including Datuk Armizan Ali, Minister of Domestic Trade and Costs of Living and Datuk Ewon Benedick, the Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperative.