[ad_1]
KOTA KINABALU: Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has expressed disappointment that the Sabah government is not aligned with his federal administration.
Addressing federal public officials here today, Muhyiddin said he was satisfied with the performance of the service so far, but only had one problem with it.
“There’s just a little bit I’m disappointed in … that Sabah is not aligned with us,” he said at the Sabah International Convention Center here.
Imagine if Sabah and the federal governments were together as one, can you imagine? This is not politics, it is reality … this is a bit of a campaign (for the next state elections), ”he said, laughing on the ground.
“He (Acting Chief Minister Shafie Apdal) has been my friend for a long time, and he came back to run the state.
“But I would feel, and have experienced, that having people on the same platform and working as one would have more impact.
“That is what I wish, for Sabah.”
Muhyiddin asked federal officials to think outside the box to improve their services to the people, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said that while public servants are subject to financial and administrative circulars and the instructions of their department heads, this should not be an excuse for not improving their services “especially in these unprecedented times.”
“This is when you need creativity, courage and urgency,” he said.
He paid tribute to leaders, including many in the civil service, for their sacrifices during the period of the movement’s control order.
At the same time, he said, the government was taking mitigation measures to cushion the impact of the pandemic through various economic stimulus packages.
“Don’t ask me where we get the money from. Last time they said there was no money (so) this must involve the prime minister’s wisdom, ”he said.
Muhyiddin also praised the people for adhering to the guidelines and standard operating procedures implemented by the government.
He said the pandemic had taught the nation many things in terms of preparing for the worst, including education.
He said Malaysia should have gone through a digitization process long before this and had suffered the effects of Covid-19 as a consequence.
If the country had implemented the plan earlier, he said, all students would have been able to study online instead of being left behind due to school closings.
“It’s our fault. Of course, there were financial hurdles, but it’s a lesson learned … what Covid-19 had taught us. But soon, we will launch this digitization program, ”he said.
No obligation on any Sabah claim
In the Philippines’ move to include the map of Sabah in its international passport, Muhyiddin said Malaysia will unequivocally defend Sabah from claims that question its sovereignty.
“I must say that we will not give in to such claims. Sabah remains in Malaysia, it is an integral part of Malaysia.
“We will fight to the end, without concessions,” he said, to applause from the crowd.
