The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah government has never victimised any officer or CEO of state government agencies appointed under the previous Warisan administration, said chief minister Hajiji Noor.
Hajiji said he met with these officers and assured them that they could continue serving the government when he first assumed the chief minister’s post about five years ago.
He said this was different from Warisan’s approach during its more than two years in power as it sidelined many officers who were not aligned with the party.
“When they (Warisan) took over the government, they didn’t think of the people, but cut off, persecuted, and pressured others instead,” Sabah Media quoted him as saying.
“I have been chief minister for nearly five years, and I have never victimised anyone, even if they were appointed by Warisan.”
Hajiji also said the water supply problems faced in Sabah by the GRS administration stemmed from Warisan’s decision to terminate the contracts of eight water concession companies.
He said Warisan terminated the contracts when it took over the government, which then had to pay RM315 million in compensation when the companies took the matter to court.
Nevertheless, he said, the GRS government is implementing various measures to resolve the issue such as upgrading water treatment plants.
He said this also happened with the Pan Borneo Highway project, which was delayed for more than four years after the consulting company was terminated during Warisan’s administration.
Hajiji said Warisan did not bring about any positive changes during its two years in power and is blaming the current government for the state’s woes.
He said Sabahans should treat the upcoming state election as a golden opportunity to retain the GRS-Pakatan Harapan government.
“Do not waste this opportunity. If the government helps the people, especially the poor, the underprivileged, students, and so on, while uplifting the economy and industries, then why should we reject it in the coming election?
“I hope the people will place their trust in the GRS candidates wherever they are fielded. God willing, we will form the government after the election, believe me,” he said.
