The Malaysian Insight

MOHD Shafie Apdal today announced a RM500 Raya bonus for Sabah civil servants.

The payment will be made “in a few days”, said the chief minister.

“Despite Sabah’s finances being ‘unwell’, the state government has agreed to distribute the bonus, to reduce civil servants’ financial burden ahead of the Raya celebrations,” he told reporters after handing out Raya cookies at Menara Tun Mustapha in Kota Kinabalu.

A total of 21,021 civil servants will receive the bonus.

Asked whether he will seek the Finance Ministry’s help to cancel permits for slot machines in Sabah, Shafie said the time will come.

On May 10, he was reported as saying he wanted the ministry to stop issuing gambling and slot machine permits.

He had said Sabah would not approve gambling outlets, and called on people to report illegal gambling in their areas.

On reports that there have been attempts to smuggle crocodiles in and out of the state, he said there is a need to bolster security at all exit and entry points.

“It is important to intensify enforcement. We can contain such activities if security is stepped up at all exit and entry points, like airports and ports.”

Two days ago, state authorities foiled a syndicate’s attempt to smuggle 220 crocodiles from Indonesia into Tawau.

Two Malaysians and two Indonesians, aged between 55 and 61, were arrested, said the Sabah Wildlife Department. – May 21, 2019.