Hajiji (right) looks on as the 14 community development leaders take their oath at the Menara Kinabalu on Wednesday (July 26).
KOTA KINABALU: Community development leaders (PPMs) should not act according to their whims, but should focus on delivering the best service possible to constituents in their respective areas, says Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
The Sabah Chief Minister said these leaders had vital roles as well as immense responsibilities in the community.
"This appointment is not a privilege,” he said after witnessing the oath-taking ceremony by 14 new PPMs at Menara Kinabalu here on Wednesday (July 26).
"I want you to always work closely with your elected representative in serving the constituents.
"We do not want to see any of you doing things at your whims and fancies, but you must discharge your responsibility diligently," he added.
Hajiji said the function of the PPM was to provide a clear picture of the government’s policies, particularly developments carried out in the past two and a half years to the grassroots.
"PPMs must explain to the people the government development plans, especially the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (development plan)," he said.
The chief minister said it was also imperative for everyone to work together as the state government strives to eliminate poverty in Sabah.
With about two more years to go before the current state government’s term expires, he said, the PPMs were in the position to serve the people and, in the process, help their respective elected representatives to regain the seat in the coming state elections, he said.
Among the 14 PPMs taking their oath before the Chief Minister were Abd Rashid Saidin (UPPM HQ), Muhammad Tasan (Bengkoka), Sharif Kadah Sharif Osman (Bandau), Saikom Watis (Kadamaian), and Rosita Ganggang (Inanam).
Others were Alex Tan Liang Boon (Likas), Lee Li Mei (Api-Api), Chin Thau Kwong (Luyang), Shamsur Zulkifli (Petagas), Cyril Gerald Liew (Kapayan), Ana Maria Bernadus (Limbahau), Max Million Lee Yun Vui (Tanjung Papat), Juslee Arpaih (Sukau), and Mohamad Latip Katik (Kunak).
Also present were Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew, State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong, Assistant Ministers to the Chief Minister Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan and Datuk Abidin Madingkir, and Community Development Leader Unit director Datuk Awang Kadin Tang.
