KOTA KINABALU: Sabah must be prudent in its financial management and put the people’s needs first, says Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
“In Sabah, the operating cost is huge. For example, salaries for appointed officials, some of whom have no roles in their departments but are still well paid.
“Compared with the people’s needs, we must streamline that,” said the Parti Warisan president and former chief minister after officiating the party’s Likas service centre on Saturday (March 14).
Shafie said it would not be right to place the blame solely on the Federal Government whenever the state faced challenges.
“If your house has problems, you manage and settle your own house, not blame others for the problems in your house,” he said, adding that the government needs to start spending more prudently and managing its funds wisely.
He added that industries and trade would be among those disrupted by the crisis in the Middle East.
“Maybe reduce visitations, cut down on unnecessary spending and use the budget allocated for Sabah by the Federal Government for the people’s needs and requirements first,” suggested Shafie.
