PWD
KOTA KINABALU: Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan has urged Sabahans to continue working with the government to maintain political stability and economic progress in Sabah.
He said continuous cooperation and support from the people was vital towards ensuring the continuation of the development in the state.
Pairin also urged the people to practise the spirit of Kaamatan in their daily life to further strengthen unity for the good of Sabah.
“The celebration of Kaamatan Festival is a manifestation of the harmonious existence of the people in this country, who live peacefully and united despite their different ethnic and religious backgrounds,” he said at the Public Works Department (PWD) Tadau Kaamatan here yesterday.
Pairin said the Festival is a potent platform for further improving tolerance and sense of belonging among Sabahans.
He said this was in line with the objective of creating a caring society under the 1Malaysia concept mooted by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
“The unique culture and tradition of its various ethnics is the most important asset for Malaysia, and for Sabah the world class nature and world heritage is an added advantage that has attracted visitors from all over the world.
“The tourism sector has seen a rapid growth and become one of the main revenue earners for the state.
“As such, I call on all Sabahans, especially the PWD community here today to join effort with the government to preserve the political stability and economic development that we enjoy today,” he said.
Pairin, who is also the Minister of Infrastructure Development, noted that the Prime Minister had in 2009 introduced Government Transformation Programme (GTP), with the aim to transform the country into a developed and high income nation.
He said six National Key Results Area (NKRA) were identified under the GTP for elevating the socio economy of the people, and this include improving the basic infrastructure in the rural areas.
He said this NKRA was especially relevant to PWD whose role include providing quality and sufficient road for the rural communities.
To ensure that the infrastructure provided are up to the standard and specification required, he said various measures has been taken including the setting up of “Project Management” and “Asset Management” teams in PWD.
“Methods for monitoring the assets and project implementation has also been set in place such as the “Expedisi Turun Padang” (ExTP), Quality Assesment Panel, Pre-Construction Taskforce, Sick Project Taskforce, Annual Goals Taskforce and many more.
“These efforts are in support of instilling the values of 1Malaysia: People First, Performance Now concept,” he said.