KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has called on civil servants in Sabah to commit to supporting the state government amidst speculation over an early state election.

The Chief Minister said the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS)-Pakatan Harapan state government still has until September next year to finish its term.

He added the state polls could be held after the completion of that term or at any time before it.

“That depends on the Chief Minister, if there is a sign or inspiration to have early elections,” he said during his address to the state and federal civil servants at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here on Monday (March 4).

“But regardless of the timing, the most important is for state and federal public servants to fully support the government of the day,” he added.

Hajiji said he is grateful to the civil service for its strong backing and cooperation over the policies by the current administration which had so far governed Sabah for the past three years.

“The civil service is part of the government’s machinery - this is the pulse that moves the state’s delivery service. Whether fast or slow, and efficient or not, the delivery system solely lies on the shoulders of civil servants," he said.

“Their role and responsibilities are not small. Be it the lower ranks up to the management level, everyone has a responsibility and role to play,” added Hajiji.

Towards this end, Hajiji said the state intends to bring various changes and improvements in the Sabah civil service, with the emphasis towards solidifying values such as integrity.

This was proven, he added, with the establishment of the state civil service’s Integrity and Anti-Corruption Policy.

This policy must be given serious attention, he said, as there have been issues on integrity, leakages and abuse of power that regularly occurred in the past involving public servants.

“This will definitely tarnish the image of the civil service which should have a working culture that is clean, efficient and trustworthy,” he said, adding non-compliance will only harm the state and nation.

“It will also destroy the civil servants’ own futures,” Hajiji added.

In line with efforts to produce competent and professional staff, he said, the state civil service was constantly planning high-impact training and courses locally and abroad for officers under the management and professional pool.

The Chief Minister said that the Sabah government has implemented several policies such as vacations for eligible officers as an incentive to civil servants.

This was to show appreciation to officers who have served 20 or more years, he added.

He said the state government had also announced a special contribution of RM2,000 to all state civil servants, adding RM1,000 had been disbursed in January, with the balance to be paid during this coming Hari Raya celebrations.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/03/04/hajiji-urges-state-govt-support-from-civil-servants-amidst-early-sabah-polls-speculation