KOTA KINABALU:Fifteen political secretaries led by Chief Political Secretary Abdul Kassim Razali took their oath of office before Chief Minister Datuk Hajiji Noor at the State Administration Centre here today.

In his address, Hajiji reminded the political secretaries of their responsibilities to uphold the trust bestowed upon them by the government to serve the people.

"Rakyat has given this new government the mandate to rule and it is incumbent upon us to do our best, more so in the wake of this pandemic that has brought many challenges and hardship across all sectors," he said in a statement here today.

Hajiji also urged them to keep their ears to the ground and to counter also correct the rampant untruths widely spread by the Opposition in the social media against the government.

"It is time to work. Do your best to support your ministers and be a good team," he added.

The Chief Minister reiterated the state government's effort to help those most affected by the pandemic with RM160 million disbursed thus far that has benefitted more than one million recipients.

"A total of 144,000 food baskets have been distributed to people at all affected areas," he said.

-- BERNAMA