KOTA KINABALU:The Sabah government under the leadership of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) needs a comprehensive and holistic direction to administer the state especially in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Chief Minister Datuk Hajiji Noor.

Hajiji said without clear direction or objectives, the government would not be able to function properly and effectively.

The absence of clear priorities and development targets that are not emphasised could also lead to failure in administration, he added.

“As I mentioned during the tabling of the 2021 State Budget on Dec 18, the state government will formulate a holistic development plan to rebuild the state's economy in accordance with the state’s strength and richness in natural resources as well as with the current needs.

"This is what I meant by the state government’s strategic direction, to ensure progress and development continue even though the state is affected by the COVID-19 pandemic," he said when officiating the Sabah Maju Jaya Development Plan Direction 2021-2025 engagement open day here, today.

Hajiji said in the past 50 years Sabah had developed immensely and the people benefitted from this development, however, more needed to be done for the sake of their comfort and well-being.

 --BERNAMA