KOTA KINABALU: Deputy Chief Minister cum Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Jaujan Sambakong (pic) has no qualms with the idea of placing Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers in his Ministry.
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In fact, he said it would be even better to have such officers stationed in each local authority (PBT) across the State.
“This needs to be implemented, not only at the Chief Minister’s Department, it is needed in each ministry,” he told a media conference after delivering his Year 2020 mandate to his Ministry, here, Thursday.
Earlier this year, Sabah became the first State in the country to have MACC officers placed in the Chief Minister’s Department. The officers clocked in for duty at the Chief Minister’s Office and State Integrity Unit on Jan 2.
Jaujan said MACC officers and personnel should not be feared, but rather viewed as people who are there to help and assist in ensuring there is no abuse of power.
“We should be grateful that MACC officers are stationed not only at the Chief Minister’s Department but also in all other ministries. We welcome such move,” he said.
He pointed out that challenges faced by the Ministry is huge, thus it should be monitored not only by civil servants but also the public at large to ensure the State and nation is free from misappropriation.
“This is a good sign not only in the eyes of the local community but also the international community, especially investors and tourists. Among the criteria that attract them to a place is when the question of corruption and misappropriation doesn’t arise.
“If the place is corrupt-free, not only will the local people be confident, investors and tourists will also be confident. But if the place if full of corruption, people will be scared, they will lose confidence, even investors will not come.
“It is therefore important, because this is part of our performance to develop our nation, especially Sabah. We must be free from power abuse practices,” he said.
He said the Ministry therefore welcomes the measures taken by the Government and has no hesitation with having MACC officers stationed in its offices.
“In fact, if possible, we would like MACC officers to be in every PBT because there are many challenges faced by the PBTs,” he said.
He also talked about the abolishment of Central Board that has been replaced with State Planning Council, adding that this year they will start drafting all development applications submitted to the Ministry for expedited approval.
“As long as applications are according to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) stated in the requirements, approval will be given within 24 hours. But that doesn’t mean approval will be given the moment application is submitted within 24 hours. The application must first fulfil the criteria and the stipulated SOP before approval can be given within 24 hours,” he explained.
In November last year, the Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Enactment 2019 Bill which enables the Government to accelerate the approval of development plans without compromising the quality of development through the abolition of authority to the local authorities was passed unopposed.
On another matter, Jaujan noted the many things which the Ministry has achieved last year and expressed how certain he was of the growing need for development and the improvement of each PBT.
“Among challenges faced today is the need for housing in Sabah. This is among challenges this year and years to come, I am confident with the government strength today, we will be able to do this by stages,” he said.
Also present was his Assistant Minister, Hiew Vun Sin, among others.
