KOTA KINABALU: The State Government will consider raising the monthly staff allowance of the Community Development Leader Unit (UPPM), said Chief Minister  Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor. 

UPPM 

" We will look into it," he said in his keynote address to 73 community development  leaders (UPPM) in conjunction with the UPPM (Chief Minister’s Office) Family Day at  the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here today. 

"But all must work hard to help realise the government's development agenda," he said. 

The Chief Minister was responding to UPPM Director Datuk Awang Kadin Tang who  made the request in his welcome speech. 

Earlier, Hajiji said all PPMs must show a high level of professionalism and discipline in providing the best service to the people. 

In this age of sophisticated technology where news and information can be easily obtained and shared, the Chief Minister urged PPMs to be creative and innovative in  improving existing work processes to ensure efficiency and effective delivery system. 

“At the same time, you must always hold steadfast to the principles of integrity and  transparency and always prioritise the organisation’s interests,” he said  

“I hope that the problems and needs of the people in the PPM’s respective areas can be  resolved and met. Your appointment is not a privilege, but you have an important role to  play and a huge responsibility to shoulder,” he said. 

The Chief Minister reiterated his call for all PPMs to work closely with the elected  representatives in their respective areas and provide the best service to the grassroots,  regardless of political ideologies. 

“This will ensure that everyone in the community can enjoy the services and facilities  provided by the government, and no one is sidelined,” he said. 

As the bridge between the government and the grassroots, the PPM units and the PPM  especially must be proactive in information sharing and problem-solving that would  indirectly boost their image and service quality in the eyes of the people. 

Hajiji said the PPM must be able to disseminate government policies, particularly  developments carried out by the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) after leading the State  Government for nearly three years. 

He urged all the PPM to always go to the ground to listen and serve the people.  

“As UPPM personnel, you must be sensitive and keep abreast of the latest issues and  be responsive to complaints or grouses from the people. You must give serious attention  to all these,” he stressed. 

Hajiji hoped all the UPPM staff would carry out the duties entrusted to them to the best  of their ability to achieve the government’s development aspiration through the Hala Tuju  Sabah Maju Jaya development plan. 

“UPPM in each constituency must ensure development programmes are successfully  implemented and reach the target group,” he said. 

On another note, the Chief Minister said the Family Day served as a platform to enhance  cooperation and respect for one another and to inculcate noble values among the UPPM staff.  

Also present were Speaker Datuk Seri Panglima Kadzim Yahya, Deputy Chief Minister  III/Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, Finance Minister Datuk Seri Panglima  Masidi Manjun, Rural Development Minister Datuk Jahid Jahim, Science, Technology  and Innovation Minister Datuk Ariffin Arif, Community Development and People's  Wellbeing Datuk James Ratib, State Secretary Datuk Seri Panglima Sr Safar Untong,  assistant ministers and elected representatives. 

Ends