KOTA KINABALU – Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) today marked its first year in power with promises of reform and development, and the launch of a multimillion-ringgit welfare fund.
Its chief Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor announced a government regulatory practice (GRP) to improve regulations and formulate new ones towards the enhancement of public sector delivery.
GRP will also look into reducing red tape in the public service, he said.
“For instance, the government will look into improving the approval of development plans and investments.”
He said this will help the state in its economic recovery efforts and ensure the success of the five-year Sabah Maju Jaya plan.
The chief minister launched the Yayasan Kebajikan Sabah fund, which has seen RM12.1 million in contributions from 11 entities.
The fund is aimed at assisting the state government in implementing its welfare agendas, he said, adding that the sum raised thus far came from the corporate sector and other generous entities.
“The foundation is managed by trained staff specialising in social welfare, to ensure that aid reaches the target groups,” said Hajiji, who is also foundation chairman.
He said Sabah saw RM3.83 billion in revenue as of August 31 this year, attributing a substantial amount of this to the collection of the sales tax on petroleum products.
“As of August this year, RM1.07 billion has been collected from the sales tax, while RM177.8 million was collected last year.”
He noted that RM256.9 million has come in from Putrajaya, with RM110 million from the National Disaster Management Agency, for the purpose of battling Covid-19. – The Vibes, September 29, 2021
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