GovTech must make government services easier, faster, user-friendly, says Sabah CM

KOTA KINABALU (Sept 22): The Government Technology (GovTech) agenda should continue to focus on citizens’ experience and proactive service delivery, in line with efforts in making government services easier, faster and more user-friendly.

According to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor, the GovTech philosophy places the people at the centre – meaning the government should no longer wait for people to come looking for services, or have them deal with burdensome bureaucracy.

“Instead, technology should be harnessed so that government services can reach the people directly, seamlessly and in a user-friendly manner,” he said in a speech read by Assistant Minister to Chief Minister Datuk Ceasar Mandela Malakun during the opening of the 18th Digital@Sabah Seminar and Digital Tamu 2026 at Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here.

Adding on, Hajiji regarded digital transformation as being crucial in improving the ease of doing business in Sabah, thereby attracting investments and advancing the state’s economy.

“However, we must remember that sophisticated technology is merely a tool.

“GovTech will be meaningless without a change in attitude and a mindset shift among those the civil servants,” he pointed out.

He described the efficiency, integrity and empathy of civil servants as the ‘main engine’ that would ‘give life’ to the technology slated for the well-being of Sabahans.

“At the same time, the modernisation of the public sector through GovTech would also enable state and federal government agencies to break down the ‘silo-ed working systems’.

“Data and system integration among agencies at the federal and state levels is a prerequisite for creating government services that are fast, simple and transparent, particularly in efforts to narrow the socio-economic gaps and ensure that the benefits of digital development can reach people in the rural and interior areas.”

Nonetheless, Hajiji also pointed out that increasing dependence on the digital ecosystem must be accompanied by strong cybersecurity safeguards, including the protection of citizens’ personal data entrusted to government agencies.

On the Digital Tamu programme, the Chief Minister hailed it as reflecting the commitment of the state and federal governments in supporting and catalysing the local digital economy ecosystem, particularly involving micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Sabah.

He noted that the Digital Tamu brought together up to 30 exhibitors, including local technology companies offering the latest digital solutions, as well as support agencies such as the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre (SCENIC), which acted as facilitators to accelerate the digitalisation of MSMEs in the state.

“I sincerely hope that local entrepreneurs would fully utilise this platform to ensure the sustainability of their businesses in this digital era,” added Hajiji.