STATE-FEDERAL COOPERATION VITAL FOR PUBLIC FACILITY DEVELOPMENT - ANWAR

TAWAU, Nov 10 (Bernama) -- Close cooperation between the state government and the Federal Government is extremely vital for ensuring better public facility development, including the construction of hospitals for the people in Sabah, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

As such, he said an elected representative who truly cares for the people’s interests and understands the problems faced by the community is a crucial factor in ensuring the continuity of development.

“Cooperation between the state government and the Federal government is extremely important. That’s why we, the MADANI government, have in the past three years said whatever has been delayed should be completed first,” he said.

He said this when officiating the launch of Tawau Hospital’s new block here today, which was also attended by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad.

Anwar said the MADANI national development framework prioritises education and health as the most important sectors, unlike many other countries that focused more on defence and mega projects.

“Many other countries focus on defence or other aspects, such as mega projects, high-rises, long bridges that are a source of pride, but in the MADANI government, we focus on the two most important areas: education and healthcare.

“When this hospital was completed, I asked the hospital director, what is its patient capacity? He told me it was full, so I instructed the Health Ministry secretary-general to look into it, and add more facilities,” he said.

Anwar also touched on the issue of contract doctors, which he said was inherited from the previous government, adding that the MADANI Government has nearly resolved the matter affecting 10,000 doctors.

“The issue of the 10,000 contract doctors was not resolved previously. We have a plan and I am grateful that with the help of the Health Ministry and Public Service Department, we have resolved almost all of the problems related to contract doctors, as well as their allowances,” he said.

He also reiterated the government’s commitment to dealing with the workload and welfare of civil servants, including raising salaries after 12 years of no revision.

-- BERNAMA