KOTA KINABALU:
Newly appointed Assistant Finance Minister Melanie Chia Chui Ket said the new post would be more challenging than her previous position as Assistant Resource Development and Information Technology Minister. “It is more challenging if compared with my previous post as it deals with the policy and development of the State and covering all the other ministries,” she said when contacted yesterday. However, Melanie who is the Luyang Assemblywoman, said that the new post is actually a new experience for her. Asked to elaborate on her new role, Melanie said she had yet to be given any specific task. “I have just been appointed to this post. Normally, the task will be given after the first State Cabinet meeting on Wednesday. I will know what is my role in this ministry after the meeting,” said Melanie who thanked Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman for giving her the trust in holding the post. “I thank Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman who is also Finance Minister, for giving me the opportunity and trust to play my role in another ministry. It is an honour for me and I will give my best,” she said. Melanie added that appointing her to the important post was also a recognition of women’s contribution to the development of the State. Meanwhile, Melanie and Likas Assemblyman Datuk Liew Teck Chan have called on the people to continue to give them the necessary feedback, suggestions and advice so that they could better improve their service to them. They made the call after making their rounds at the Sunday Gaya Street fair here yesterday, to thank their voters and supporters for retaining them in the 12th General Election. Melanie who has been appointed as Assistant Finance Minister together with Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan in the new State Cabinet, reckoned that the people’s cooperation is absolutely crucial towards improving the living condition in their constituency. She vowed to do her best to improve the communication system between the relevant authorities and the people, so as to better improve the delivery system of the relevant authorities. Both she and Liew also promised to fight for greater attention from the relevant authorities to better improve the infrastructures, especially the drainage system in and around their constituencies, so as to effectively address the perennial flash flood problem which had been affecting the residents for many years each time when there was a heavy downpour. Melanie was convinced that the delivery system of the relevant authorities can be improved, if they are really committed to their tasks of serving the people as demonstrated by the Immigration Department in expediting the issuance of passports. Meanwhile, Liew who is also the Deputy President of Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), also pledged to improve the traffic situation in Likas and its vicinity, especially the stretch along the All Saints Secondary School. He also called on his constituents to look for him either at his office at the Progressive Centre in Inanam or at the SAPP weekly mobile service booth in Gaya Street, every Sunday if they need any assistance.
