Hajiji doing the launch gimmick. Together with him are Safar and Sabariah.
KUALA LUMPUR: Sabahans in Peninsular Malaysia can now feel a little closer to home with the opening of the Sabah State Liaison Office (PPNS) Kuala Lumpur at 3 Towers in Jalan Ampang here.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor said PPNS KL would serve much like an embassy for Sabahans working and residing in Peninsular Malaysia.
“PPNS KL, a Sabah government agency under the Chief Minister’s Department, also acts as the Sabah Government intermediary for dealings with the Federal Government involving administration affairs,” he said at the official opening of the office at the nation’s capital today.
He said the administrative landscape of the state government had changed, hence the need for interaction between the governments such as on issues of migration, tourism, investment and diplomatic affairs, which necessitates the State Government to set up the Office.
Through PPNS KL, he said the Sabah Government can implement administrative policies in a more orderly and systematic manner.
“I want the Sabah Liaison Office to ensure our investor-friendly approach succeed. In this respect, I want the Office to bolster its role as the bridge between the Sabah and Federal Governments as well as with foreign embassies and private companies in the peninsular,” he said.
The Chief Minister said PPNS KL would also maximise governance management efficiency, an important factor in attracting more investors to come to Sabah.
“I want the Office to also serve as an information centre with regard to tourism, culture and investments,” he added.
Hajiji signing the PPNS KL plaque. Together with him are Safar and Sabariah.
Hajiji said the Sabah Government’s image would also undergo a rebranding with the establishment of the Chief Minister’s Official Office on level 23A, Penthouse of the 3 Towers, which is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
During the CovId-19 pandemic, Hajiji said Sabah Government through PPNS KL had planned and implemented various initiatives to assist Sabahans in Peninsular Malaysia.
The PPNS has received nearly 200,000 applications from Sabah for the Bantuan Prihatin Covid-19 2.0.
“Through the PPNS, we have spent RM357,000 for the distribution of food baskets to Sabahans living in Peninsular Malaysia and another RM239,362.46 to help families to send their deceased back to Sabah in 2021. All these are done to assist needy people from Sabah,” he said.
Hajiji said that the second pillar of the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) – human capital and people’s prosperity, would see the construction of a Transit House for Sabahans in Peninsular Malaysia expected to be completed in December this year.
The new initiative would help lessen the burden in terms of cost for Sabahans dealing with their children’s education or medical needs, he said.
“As a government responsible for the trust entrusted to it, we will continue to fight for the people of Sabah regardless of religion and race,” he said.
PPNS KL has a staff strength of 34 headed by Director Sabariah Haji Saffree.
Present at the ceremony were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, Deputy Chief Minister III cum Works Minister Datuk Ir Shahelmey Yahya, Speaker Datuk Seri Kadzim Yahya, Sabah Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Haji Dr Mohd Ariffin Mohd Arif, State Secretary Datuk Seri Sr Safar Untong.
