CM: All promises will be fulfilled
KOTA KINABALU: Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) faced various challenges during the first 100 days of administrating Sabah, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
He said among issues which had to be addressed were financial problems and poor management in the government's administrative system.
“In the 100 days we tried our best to implement the party's 13-thrust manifesto for the 14th general election (GE14). But we must realise that to fulfil all the promises, it will take some time because there were several constraints.
“Nevertheless I trust the new Cabinet line-up comprising old and new leaders will be able to do something to liberate the state from the shackles of underdevelopment and so forth to enable us to compete at the regional level.”
He said this at a press conference in conjunction with the first 100 days of Warisan's administration in Sabah here yesterday.
Elaborating Shafie said although some of the promises have yet to be realised, it would definitely be implemented. These include the construction of the Kudat port which requires both the location and financial capabilities before it can be realized.
He, however, outlined the promises that the present government had realized, which, among them, is the abolishment of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which, he said, has burdened the people.
The GST has been replaced by the Sales and Services Tax (SST), he said.
Also realized is the establishment of the Education and Innovation Ministry, which according to Shafie, was not to duplicate the role of the Federal Education Ministry but rather, to complement it.
He added that the focus of the ministry is to create several vocational training centres to raise the skills of Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia school leavers who are not able to continue their tertiary studies due to limitations in terms of finance.
“We are aware that there are factories and industries that require skilled workers, such as the oil and gas industry, the hospitality industry and so on,” he said.
The present government has also kept its promise by establishing the Sabah's Health and People's Well-being Ministry, he said.
Again, the purpose of the ministry is not to duplicate the tasks already handled by the Federal Health Ministry, he explained. Rather, it aims to address the needs of the rural areas that do not have access to specialist doctors and medicines, such as the districts of Sugut, Kuamut, Pitas, Long Pasia, Kunak and others, he said.
He noted that these specialists only come to the city and seldom visit the rural areas of Sabah.
Also achieved within the 100 days is the abolishment of the communal title, he said. With the abolishment, land titles are given to each respective owners, he said.
He also said that a new survey will be carried out on communal titles so that the owners shall have their own respective land deed.
Shafie also spoke of the reformation of governmentlinked companies (GLCs) and the accusations that have been hurled resulting from the appointment of several individuals who now hold key jobs in the government. This included the appointment of Amarjit Singh, the Water Department director, he said.
“Strict action had to be taken to ensure the 56 years of treated water supply issue is finally addressed. This required a bold move, and the department is actually administered by specialists so that the rural folks will have access to clean water supply,” he said.