KOTA KINABALU – Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor has vowed to cut leakages in the public sector while attributing this to media practitioners who sedulously worked on raising the issues affecting the state’s communities.
The Sabah chief minister said the press has become a part of the government’s source of knowing grassroots issues, and the state government will continue to improve itself in dealing with the leakages.
“I am aware that the media always highlights issues affecting the people and state, and, in return, the people truly value your role.
“I believe the media will continue to raise the people’s issues for us to take action.
“The government will continue to improve itself so its machinery performs at its optimum. For instance, I will not hesitate to overhaul underperforming agencies or government-linked companies.
“We are now looking at several entities to undergo restructuring to avoid any leakages,” said Hajiji during a breaking of fast with the media fraternity in the state last night.
Hajiji did not name any of the entities but said he highly values the role of the media, which at times has become a source of information by airing issues and complaints of those at the grassroots level.
He said he is aware that media practitioners work tirelessly for stories so the public can be updated on the current issues, but he also stressed the importance of churning balanced reports.
Hajiji said news reports need to be balanced to avert public confusion, which he explained could cause widespread concern if they go unchecked.
He cited the political crisis in Sabah last January as an instance where diligent reporting was demanded from media practitioners.
Towards this end, he also said the press needs to assist the government in promoting the state’s development agenda under the Sabah Maju Jaya initiative, which has entered its third year. – The Vibes, April 15, 2023
