FORMER Sabah minister Hajiji Mohd Noor has called on the state government to investigate the alleged power abuse in the Sabah Central Board.

“Let them (state government) check what is happening in the central board. It is a good move as some say they (central board) are delaying the approval of projects,” Hajiji, who led the state Local Government and Housing Ministry for more than 10 years, told reporters at Parti Bersatu Sabah’s Chinese New Year open house in Kota Kinabalu today.

The Malaysian Insight two days ago reported the alleged mismanagement and power abuse in the central board, which is Sabah’s top planning authority.

Developers in the state said they are left at the mercy of the Sabah Town and Regional Development Department director, who serves as the central board’s secretary and oversees the approval of projects.

They said some projects were given the green light only after six years.

Yesterday, Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal, in a plea to investors to help develop the state, said his office doors are open to them, and urged them to come forward if their projects are hampered by red tape.

“Don’t worry too much about not getting approvals. If there is a delay, you tell me. If they (government agencies) are late in approving the development, come to my office. I will do something to hasten it.”

He also vowed to dismantle the central board and have its powers returned to the state government. – February 6, 2019.