KENINGAU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor wants District Officers and Assistant District Officers to consistently practise a responsive, proactive and integrity-driven work culture, while being bold in adopting new approaches.
“We need to be bold in adopting new approaches if they can improve the quality of service delivery to the people.
“However, at the same time, every action must be taken based on regulations, good governance and the interests of the people,” he said at the opening ceremony of the 29th Sabah District Officers Conference at Hotel Perkasa here on Monday.
He said this year’s conference theme, “Driving Innovation, Empowering Communities,” is highly relevant to the needs of public administration today.
“We are facing rapid changes. Technological advancements, changes in the global economy, social changes and rising public expectations of public services require us to continuously improve the way we work.
“Government administration needs to be more efficient, responsive and centred on the needs of the people,” he said.
In this context, the Chief Minister said District Offices are among the important institutions within the State Government machinery at the grassroots level.
“District Officers have a major responsibility to ensure that government policies, programmes and projects are translated into action on the ground,” he said.
“You are not only responsible for coordinating district development, but also serve as a link between the government and the people,” he said.
Hajiji said the State Government is continuing Sabah’s development agenda through Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0, which is a continuation of the previous development foundation.
However, the success of this development agenda does not depend solely on planning at the State Government level, but also on the ability of the entire government machinery to implement it, he said.
Once again, he said, District Officers and District Offices have a very important role in this regard.
“District Offices are among the government institutions closest to the people. Therefore, your role in ensuring that government policies reach the people is very significant.
“We must also view the state’s development from a long-term perspective. Over the past five years, we have faced various challenges, including the impact of the pandemic and economic uncertainties.
“Nevertheless, we have continued to implement development and strengthen the state’s economic foundation. What has been built must be continued and strengthened.
“That is why policy continuity and administrative stability are very important. Development cannot be achieved within a short period. It requires consistent planning, clear policies and a government machinery capable of implementing those plans,” he said.
In this regard, the Chief Minister wants the entire government machinery, including District Offices, to understand the direction of the state’s development.
“We have plans. We have allocations. We have identified projects. And we have a government machinery at all levels.
“What is needed is coordination, implementation discipline and commitment to ensure that all these plans produce benefits for the people,” he said.
District Officers were also instructed to focus on the effectiveness of service delivery and not wait for problems to become serious.
“If there is an issue, take action early. If coordination with other agencies is required, do it immediately. If there is potential that can be developed, help facilitate it.
“This approach needs to become part of the work culture in district administration,” he said.
Hajiji also reminded that project delays must not be regarded as normal, as every delay has an impact on the people.
“If there are problems in implementation, we need to act early. If there are coordination issues, we need to sit together and find solutions.
“Our goal is to ensure that every planned project delivers benefits to the people within the stipulated timeframe,” he said. -pr/BNN
