KUCHING: Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan has given Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud top marks for turning the state into what it is today.
Speaking at a state dinner held in conjunction with the ‘Federal Government and State Governments Relations Committee Meeting’ here on Sunday, Mohd Sidek said the chief minister managed to do it by building and maintaining close relations with the federal government.
“Under the leadership of the Chief Minister, Sarawak has undergone rapid development and is able to maintain good economic growth.”
Mohd Sidek noted that despite rapid development taking place in the state, the state government still managed to preserve its natural resources and environment.
He told those present that the key to successful implementation of government policies is through close collaboration between the federal and state civil service.
When such a collaborative structure exists, he said, all issues involved in the transformation programmes could be managed and tackled with accordingly.
“In the case of Sarawak, the close cooperation between the state and federal government could be seen especially in the programmes and activities involving civil servants.
“I am thankful to the state government’s continuing efforts to strengthen the civil service’s delivery system to the people.”
Meanwhile, State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani thanked Mohd Sidek for picking the state to play host for the meeting.
He said the meeting was initially scheduled to be held last year, but was postponed due to the 10th state election.
He said the meeting would serve as a useful platform for the state government to explain to the participants about developments taking place in the state and the challenges it was facing.
Morshidi said the meeting had created a history of sorts for the state because for the first time the Chief Secretary to the government, the director-general of the Prime Minister’s Department, all ministries’ secretaries and all state secretaries were attending.
“Besides hosting this meeting, Kuching will also host the 4th State Secretaries Sports Tournament, where all the state secretaries as well as their staff who are here will be participating.”