TUARAN: Action will be taken against any department head found hindering the State  Government's effort to bring in investors into the state, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri  Panglima Hajiji Haji Noor. 

He said there have been instances where department heads were found to unilaterally  impose their own rules for investors interested to invest in Sabah. 

"By doing so, they have sent the wrong signals to these investors who then shy away  from pursuing investment interests in the state.  

“I am watching and if this is the case, I will not hesitate to take stern action," he said. 

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony and presentation of appointment letters to 19  Tuaran District Councillors for the 2023/2025 term at the Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort  here today, Hajiji said the role of the department heads was to facilitate investments. 

"If everything is in order there is no need to make it difficult for the investors,” he said,  adding the State Government of the day is investor-friendly. 

“We want to create more jobs for the people, that is why we are bringing in more  investors to Sabah,” he said, adding that in the past two years, the total investments  received by Sabah has amounted to more than RM30 billion. 

He said the latest was the Singapore-based Esteel Group bringing in a total investment  of US2 billion at the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park (SOGIP). 

“Not only it creates job opportunities for our people but it also creates big economic spin offs,” he said. The Esteel investment will produce HBI (Hot Briquette Iron) & flat steel at  SOGIP for Phase 1, to be followed by multi-billion dollar investments to produce green  steel products in subsequent phases. 

On another note, the Chief Minister urged all district councillors to play their role and  discharge their responsibility to their level best. 

“The role of the councillors as a part of the local government is vital, particularly in  ensuring developments in their respective areas are done properly and systematically.

“Do not be complacent. Monitor the development in your area well to avoid it becoming  a ‘rojak’ (haphazard) development,” he said. 

For the Tuaran councillors, they need to capitalise on the district’s proximity to the State  Capital by ensuring the development spillover can be felt by the people in the district, he  said. 

Hajiji urged all councillors and management of local authority (Pihak Berkuasa  Tempatan) to be sensitive and proactive in implementing government policies besides  being able to think outside the box. 

"Make sure customers are satisfied with the services in their dealings with the  government," he said. 

Also present were Deputy Chief Minister II/Minister of local Government and Housing Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Joachim Gunsalam, Rural Development Minister Datuk Jahid  Jahim, Tuaran elected representatives, Local Government and Housing Permanent  Secretary Datuk Dr Jamili Nais and District Officer, Hadzlan Jablee. 

Ends