Sabah Devt Office to replace JPPS
Revived SDO to take charge of Federal Projects, says CM
Revived SDO to take charge of Federal Projects, says CM
KOTA KINABALU:
After overseeing development projects in the State for 17 years, the Sabah Federal Development Department (JPPS) will be finally be disbanded soon. Its roles, according to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, will be taken over by the revived Sabah Development Office, which was established during the Usno and Berjaya era. “The disbandment of JPPS is in response to the grouses of Sabah people. The Chief Secretary to the Federal Government is discussing matters concerning the disbandment of JPPS with the State Secretary, and the revival of SDO here,” Musa told a perss conference after the State Cabinet meeting yesterday. He said efforts are currently being carried out to transfer projects under JPPS to SDO, which will be under the supervision of the Chief Minister’s Department. Matters concerning JPPS and the overlapping roles played by the Department and several State Departments and Agencies were brought to the attention of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi during the latter’s visit on April 7 this year to meet Sabah Barisan Nasional leaders. JPPS was established in Sabah on 1 January 1991 to propose and monitor Federal Government’s development projects in the State so that it would move in line with the nation’s mission and vision. The Department also oversees the management of allocations channelled from various Federal Ministries and Departments to finance development projects in the State and ensure that they are completed with the five-year Malaysia Plan. Among the projects implemented by JPPS were related to education, security, health, roads, airports, rural electricity and water supplies, agriculture development as well as other facilities. Musa said the Federal Government has also approved the proposal to set up more detention centres in the State. “There were a lot more requests from the BN leaders in Sabah and the Federal Government is scrutinizing each of them. It will be implemented from time to time ... it will take some time but this shows that the Federal Government is listening to our grouses and complaints,” he said. Meanwhile, Musa said the Chief Executive Officers Conference will be held here on June 15-17 this year. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will officially open the conference while the closing ceremony will be graced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. “We hope to lure more participants this time,” he said.
