State Secretary tells civil servants not to involve in politics
SANDAKAN: State Secretary Datuk Hashim Paijan has asked the Sandakan Municipal Council (SMC) officers and personnel not to be involved in politics to avoid interruption in their jobs and conflict of interest.
Hashim said that civil servants are ‘special’ and do not need to be involved in any political party, but focus on their jobs and carry out their responsibilities properly.
“We must provide our service without being bias, so avoid being involved in politics. If you are already in a political party, please leave slowly or leave this job,” he said this during an official visit to SMC yesterday.
He met with SMC President Datuk Peter Hii Chang Lik, Deputy President Haji Mohd Hamsan Awang Supain, SMC Secretary Faridah Giau and other heads of departments.
After a briefing session presented by SMC, Hashim said that SMC personnel must adapt and move forward as quickly as possible following the change of ruling party at the Federal and State Governments.
“The change in the ruling party brings not only change in our political landscape, but it also brings change to our culture and system at work, the way we think and the way we act. This is more significant especially among the older personnel with more experience who have grown accustomed to a certain way of working; but it is time to change and move forward.
“As civil officers and personnel, we must be able to move forward with professionalism and integrity. We are able to be professional with knowledge, skills and experience that we have after working for SMC for a long time. We must have integrity, as we are accountable for the responsibilities that we are bestowed with. With integrity, we must stay away from corruption and wrongdoing to the council that we are serving,” he explained.
Hashim also emphasised that it is SMC officers and personnel’s responsibility to create an environment for the local community that is clean, happy, comfortable and affordable.
“We must fulfil their basic needs. SMC should also be customer-friendly,” he added.
Hashim also suggested that SMC provide more business opportunities to small entrepreneurs, for example setting up a small bazaar for local hawkers to operate in specific time duration, at villages, residential areas and estates.
Meanwhile, Peter Hii told SMC headd of departments who were present to be committed in providing services to the local community.
“The most basic thing that we need to do in carrying out our duty is to stay out of corruption. The council’s vision is to be able to stand independently in creating a clean, beautiful, peaceful, prosperous and progressive environment for the local community. This is our commitment and our promise to the people,” he said.
The official visit ended with Peter Hii presenting a token of appreciation to Hashim to show appreciation for his visit to SMC.