KOTA KINABALU, March 2 — There has been an increase in allocation to develop Sabah since Datuk Seri Najib Razak became Prime Minister, says Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman.

He said Sabahans should be grateful for having a leader and prime minister who was deeply concerned over the welfare of the people at all levels.

"We are grateful for having a very caring prime minister, who provides a big allocation for Sabah every year.

"As was evident under the 8th Malaysia Plan, the Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKLW) only allocated RM1.42 billion to Sabah.

"But during the 10th Malaysia Plan under Najib’s leadership, KKLW channeled RM7.68 billion to Sabah and, so far, in the third round of the 11th Malaysia Plan, KKLW has channeled RM2.48 billion to Sabah and this provision does not include big allocations in other ministries,” he said.

Musa said this when addressing the 2018 State and Federal Public Service Department Personnel Premier Gathering Ceremony at the Sabah State Administrative Centre Building (PPNS) here today, which was officiated by Najib.

Present at the ceremony were Sabah State Secretary Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman, Federal Government Secretary Datuk Nor Rizan Mohd Tani and state cabinet ministers.

Musa said the federal government had provided a huge allocation to Sabah as the prime minister realised it was a big state and needed a great deal of allocation for development.

On civil servants in the state, Musa said all state and federal civil servants always gave full co-operation and commitment with full responsibility, and strong and solid support to the ruling government.

"However, we acknowledge that maybe, there is a bit of weakness in terms of integrity but overall, civil servants in the state are so committed and dedicated, with integrity in carrying out their respective duties and responsibilities in making the transformation policy and development agenda a success.

"I would like to state clearly that the solid cooperation, commitment and dedication of civil servants in the state is not only visible at the top official level, but also at the district and sub-district levels throughout the state,” he added.

Musa said as a result of collaboration as a team among the administrative members with civil servants at all levels, many successes and outstanding achievements had been recorded in advancing the state.

"Of these, we have been rated Triple A ‘AAA’ for seven consecutive years, with robust financial management with the 15-year ‘Non-Reprimand Certificate’ Award with efficiency in the financial management system based on the Accountability Index,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sukarti said the public service in the state was on track to ensure that every government programme had a big impact on the target group.

He said good relations between state and federal civil servants facilitated the implementation of government plans and policies in the state. — Bernama