KOTA KINABALU: The sacrifices and contributions of the country’s frontliners have made people feel safe and comfortable and boosted investor confidence and tourism in the state, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He said that the state government fully appreciates and recognises the sacrifices made by security forces, healthcare workers and other uniformed agencies in protecting and helping through floods, the Covid-19 pandemic, fires and maintaining security.
“Your selfless and tireless contribution always ensures that our security, economy and people’s well-being are protected.
“This helps ensure peace and harmony that allows people to live in a safer, more comfortable and harmonious state and peace,” he said at a ceremony to hand over Hari Raya Aidilfitri cakes to security and health personnel at Menara Kinabalu on Thursday (April 4).
Hajiji said the peace and stability allows the government to operate smoothly in its efforts to develop the state under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development plan.
“The peace we enjoy at the moment allows our country to continue to progress and can convince investors and foreign tourists to invest and travel to our country, especially to Sabah”, he added.
He said uniformed bodies, especially the Armed Forces, police as well health workers carried out their duties and obligations with full responsibility and high dedication in dangerous and life threatening situations.
“They have selflessly sacrificed to ensure the well-being of the people whether it was the pandemic, floods or fires. They have been there for us all the time,” he said.
Hajiji noted that even during the current dry spell, the Royal Malaysian Air Force assisted in the successful cloud seeding operations at the end of March.
Hajiji said that giving out Hari Raya cakes had become a culture and practice of the Government to celebrate and appreciate the struggle and sacrifices of the frontliners.
This year Sabah Immigration Department and Sabah Customs Department were included as part of the 15 security and health organisations to receive the Raya goodies.
As many as 33 government agencies from various state and federal ministries and departments, government-linked companies (GLCs), Statutory Bodies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) helped in preparing the raya goodies.