Hajiji: Government committed to strengthening public service, people-centred development

Borneo Post

09-05-2025

Hajiji, together with Shamsul Azri and other guests, poses with state and federal civil servants attending the Jelajah Taat Setia MADANI Negeri Sabah programme at the Sabah International Convention Centre in Kota Kinabalu on Friday.
KOTA KINABALU (May 9): The Sabah State Government has reaffirmed its strong commitment to enhancing the delivery of public services and expanding the benefits of development to all citizens through the Malaysia MADANI approach, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor.
He emphasised that civil servants are the backbone of the state's development success and the effective implementation of government policies. As such, their role must be guided by integrity, efficiency and a deep sense of responsibility.
'The people are watching. Our behaviour, our words, and how we treat the public reflect the quality of today's government service
'Therefore, civil servants must internalise the MADANI principles namely Sustainability, Prosperity, Innovation, Respect, Trust and and Compassion. These are not merely as a slogan, but as part of their work ethic and character,' he said during the Jelajah Taat Setia MADANI Negeri Sabah programme at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) on Friday.
Also in attendance was the Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, who delivered a keynote address to Sabah's civil service as part of the national Jelajah Taat Setia MADANI initiative.
Hajiji highlighted that strong cooperation between the State and Federal Governments has led to the implementation of various initiatives aimed at improving the well-being of Sabahans. Among these is the Program Madani Rakyat 2024: Sayangi Sabah, which drew nearly 485,000 visitors.
Other notable efforts include the formation of 219 Komuniti MADANI in Sabah, supported by RM657,000 in funding, and the Ehsan@KUSKOP initiative in three targeted districts, Kota Belud, Kota Marudu and Kudat, in addition to a series of educational forums and discourse sessions to deepen understanding of Malaysia MADANI.
At the state level, Hajiji reiterated the government's continued support for the B40 income group and students through various aid programmes. These include the BUDI (Higher Education Registration Assistance), BAIK (Computer Aid), and GRS-SUBFLY, which provides RM600 in flight subsidies to Sabah students studying in Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak.
Other initiatives include the SENTOSA (Higher Education Domestic Student Contribution) of RM300, the construction of 3,000 Rumah Mesra SMJ homes valued at RM250 million, and the SYUKUR (People's Touch of Compassion) programme, which offers RM300 in monthly cash assistance throughout the year to 100,000 poor and hardcore poor household heads in Sabah.
On human capital development, he announced a significant increase in the Sabah State Government's scholarship allocation, rising from RM55 million in 2022 to RM128 million in 2025.
'Supporting Sabah's youth in pursuing higher education is not just about academic achievement. It is a long-term investment in nurturing future leaders and a competitive workforce,' he said.
Hajiji also called upon Sabah's 21,989 state civil servants and 126,677 federal civil servants to act as facilitators in disseminating government policies and initiatives to the grassroots level.
'Spread the government's message to every corner. Let the people see that the government is not just planning, but actively implementing numerous development initiatives for the well-being of the state and its citizens. Public service must be swift, efficient and delivered with integrity,' he stressed.
He further urged all Sabahans to set aside political differences and continue to strengthen unity for the state's progress.
'Political stability is the foundation of prosperity. Let us move forward together in the spirit of solidarity, prioritising unity and renewing our shared commitment towards a brighter future for Sabah,' he added.