I’m ready to run my ministry — Jaujan
KOTA KINABALU: Deputy Chief Minister cum Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Jaujan Sambakong has reiterated his readiness to run his new ministry.
“We (Parti Warisan) have an agenda. The important thing about our agenda is how we can help the people, especially in terms of costs of living, infrastructure, education and health.
“God willing, being put in this ministry (the Local Government and Housing Ministry) will not be something that is unfamiliar to us as we are aware of the issues faced by the people of Sabah,” he told reporters when met on Wednesday night, shortly after the swearing in of the new state cabinet.
Jaujan took note of the fact that he had previously worked with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal under the Federal Ministry of Local Government and Housing back when the latter was the deputy for the said ministry several years ago.
However, he noted that the current state ministry is currently facing a few problems and there are still many aspects that the ministry has to improve on.
Although emphasis should be given on major cities such Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Tawau, the state must also look into the issue of squatters, Jaujan added.
He opined that that major cities should not even have squatters in the first place.
“There are a lot of squatter areas in Sabah. From what I have observed, (we have to figure out) how to maintain the business premises and residential areas, especially in terms of cleanliness and security,” the Warisan Vice President said, stressing that what is important is that the people of Sabah can live comfortably.
He revealed that he might be reporting for duty at his new office on Friday.
The other two Deputy Chief Ministers are Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau (Upko) and Christina Liew (PKR). They are also holding the Trade and Industry and Tourism, Culture and Environment portfolios respectively.
The two other Warisan Vice Presidents, Junz Wong and Peter Anthony, are also holding posts in the state cabinet, namely, Minister of Infrastructure Development and Minister of Agriculture and Food Industries respectively.