SABAH chief minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor did not hide his concerns over the growing public scrutiny faced by the state administration due to the power of social media.
He said this intense public scrutiny requires the state civil service to up their game by maintaining high standards of accountability and integrity to protect public trust.
Hajiji noted that public feedback on the state civil service is generally positive, but warned of negative reports of corruption, inefficiency, and abuse of power that could easily go viral and damage public trust.
“Usually, the reports or feedback I receive are generally positive. Alhamdulillah. But there are also times when the reports are very discouraging, with various stories and issues involving certain officers among state and federal civil servants,” he said when making his address at the 2025 New Year’s address with the state civil servants in Kota Kinabalu on Thursday.
He stressed that integrity is essential to safeguard public confidence and shield civil servants from misconduct, abuse of power, and corruption.
“Integrity is the shield that protects us from falling into disgrace and hardship due to misconduct, abuse of power, corruption, and other wrongdoings,” he added.
Hajiji warned that public scrutiny is at an all-time high, amplified by social media platforms where minor issues can quickly escalate into major controversies.
“In this digital era, CCTV is everywhere – sometimes the people themselves are the CCTV. Be cautious in your duties, as every action and word can be recorded and shared without your knowledge,” Hajiji cautioned.
He noted that political leaders, particularly himself as Chief Minister, bear the brunt of public criticism when government services fall short.
“The public often does not distinguish between government departments and political leaders. When issues go viral, the criticism is directed at the ruling leadership, particularly the Chief Minister,” he said.
Hajiji cited a recent fatal accident in Kota Kinabalu where a motorcyclist died after hitting a pothole, describing it as a tragic consequence of delayed action.
“I am deeply saddened by the incident. It did not happen in a remote area but right in the city of Kota Kinabalu,” he said.
He urged civil servants “not to sit on the job and wait for accidents to happen” before taking action.
“Don’t wait until accidents occur to rush into action. Don’t wait for complaints or orders before moving,” he stressed.
Hajiji also highlighted the ongoing non-revenue water (NRW) crisis in Sabah, revealing that 60% of clean water is lost due to theft and mismanagement.
“60% non-revenue water is not a small amount – more than half of our clean water is lost. It is the responsibility of the Water Department to identify where and how these losses occur,” he said.
He called for proactive governance, transparency, and integrity to maintain public trust and counter misinformation.
Hajiji warned of the rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation on social media, urging civil servants to verify facts before sharing to avoid misleading the public.
“We must be vigilant against misinformation and disinformation. Verify the facts before sharing, as false narratives can easily spread and damage reputations,” he said.
He reminded civil servants that their actions directly impact the government’s image and called for greater efficiency and accountability.
“Our duty is to serve the people, not to make their lives difficult. Civil servants must act with integrity, transparency, and efficiency,” Hajiji said. - February 20, 2025
