RANAU: Sabah’s development direction under SMJ 2.0 hinges on clarity of purpose, urgency, and common sense in execution, Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun said at a breaking-of-fast event with personnel at the Ranau district police headquarters, Saturday.
Addressing public misconceptions, Masidi stressed that Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) is a development theme that serves as a guide for the state’s progress.
“SMJ is often misunderstood. It has nothing to do with specific projects. It is a development theme, a guideline on the direction in which progress should be taken,” he said.
On the progress of SMJ 2.0, which has already been launched, Masidi said the most important element at this stage is internalising and understanding the message embedded in the framework.
He emphasised that ultimately, the success of SMJ 2.0 depends on efficient and prudent management.
“If I can summarise, in the end everything depends on efficiencym and prompt management,” he said.
Masidi highlighted what he described as three critical “senses” necessary for effective implementation: a sense of purpose, a sense of urgency, and common sense.
A sense of purpose, he explained, means understanding clearly the direction and goals to be achieved. A sense of urgency requires action without delay, doing today what can be done immediately rather than postponing it.
Most importantly, he underscored the need for common sense, describing it as the spirit of taking initiative without waiting for instructions.
“So long as we understand our direction, avoid overcomplicating implementation, and apply common sense by taking initiative, there should not be a problem in implementing SMJ 2.0,” he said.
During the same press conference, Masidi also addressed the current flood situation in Sabah, describing it as among the worst in affected areas.
“We are facing what I consider one of the worst flood events, particularly in the areas involved. From the images on television, we can see the situation is very severe, complex and has had a major impact on residents,” he said.
He said, as stated by the Chief Minister, all state government agencies have been mobilised to assist those affected.
The immediate priority, he noted, is ensuring safety by rescuing affected villagers and relocating them to temporary relief centres. He also stressed the importance of securing sufficient food supplies, especially as some roads and communication links have been cut off.
Masidi urged district-level authorities to take proactive measures to ensure that no affected resident is left out or deprived of government assistance.
In addition to government support, he called on Government-Linked Companies and private sector firms to work together in extending aid to flood victims.
“We must join hands to help those affected by this major flood,” he said, reaffirming the state’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare of its people.
