Sabah records highest ever revenue at over RM5.4bil last year, says Hajiji
KOTA KINABALU: Civil servants in Sabah are reminded to work with the government to implement various development plans, specifically the Sabah Maju Jaya initiative.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor on Thursday (June 9) said the support and cooperation from civil servants was important in ensuring that all plans and policies are carried out smoothly for the benefit of the people.
“There is still so much to be done. I am glad we managed to pull through and sustain our economy amid challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said during an event with the Congress of Union of Employees in the Public and Civil Services Malaysia, (Cuepacs).
He said the state economic development was on the right track and was already showing signs of recovery.
Hajiji said under the Sabah Maju Jaya development initiative, Sabah recorded over RM5.4bil revenue in 2021, the highest in record.
He said Sabah also attracted some RM4.4bil foreign investments in the first quarter of 2021, making it the third highest after Kedah and Selangor.
“The main investments were in the manufacturing, tourism and agriculture sectors and these are expected to provide some 10,000 job opportunities,” he said.
Hajiji said the gradual reopening of international borders on April 1 is also expected to restart the state’s tourism sector.
Earlier in the event, the Sulaman assemblyman urged all members of the public sector to continue strengthening the spirit of unity, togetherness and loyalty for the continuation of economic and development growth in Sabah.
He said the government had always and will continue to care for workers’ welfare, and would try its best to fulfil their needs as they carry out their duties.
Citing an example, Hajiji said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had announced an increase in minimum wage from RM1,200 to RM1,500 and such efforts were welcomed by the state government as well.
He said this increase was much awaited for by low-income earners, and although this minimum wage is only applicable to businesses in the private sector, with employees of over five people for now, those with five workers and less will still have to follow suit starting Jan 1, 2023.