Tuaran: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor says the coming 17th State Election (PRN17) will be his last running for election, drawing the curtain on his more than three decades of public service.
He made the announcement during the opening ceremony of the DSP Hajiji Hall and retirement celebration of the headmaster of SK Bundung, near here, Thursday.
Reflecting on his journey from a young politician to becoming the Chief Minister, Hajiji admitted that he never expected to rise to the State’s highest office.
“I have been in politics for more than 35 years. Never did I expect to become the Chief Minister of Sabah. But I know the time will come to give space to the younger generation,” said the Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah President and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah Chairman.
“I have already told my constituents in Sulaman that this will be my last time joining a state election,” he said.
Hajiji, the eight-term Sulaman Assemblyman, said he received many invitations to State-level functions on Thursday but chose to spend time with teachers, parents and the community in Tuaran.
“Such grassroots engagements are meaningful to me and a reminder of why I entered politics in the first place.
“This programme with the school, the PIBG and the kampung people is very meaningful. It is here, with the community, that we truly understand the struggles of the rakyat,” he said.
Hajiji also took the opportunity to remind the people that the State Government had done its best under his leadership, especially in education and human capital development.
He described these as the foundations of Sabah’s future prosperity.
“I want people to remember that during my tenure, education and human capital were given the highest priority. We have invested heavily, because education is the tool that will shape our children and determine the future of this State.
“Never before had the State Government allocated such significant resources to education, welfare and human capital. These measures were designed not for political mileage, but to uplift the next generation of Sabahans,” he said.
Hajiji also called on teachers, parents and community leaders to share the facts about what the Government had achieved, especially in education and welfare.
He cautioned them not to be misled by the opposition’s criticisms on social media, which he dismissed as propaganda and falsehoods.
“There are those who say the Government has done nothing, which is not true. Teachers especially must help spread the truth so that people know what has been achieved.
“Opposition leaders can talk all they want, but when they were in power, what did they do? Compare what they gave with what we are giving now, the record speaks for itself,” he said.
Hajiji has served as an assemblyman for over 35 years and as Chief Minister since 2020. He said PRN17 would be his final electoral battle, marking the end of his political chapter.
“This will be my last election. After this, it is time for the younger generation to continue the struggle. My hope is that they will carry on with the same focus, to uplift the people, to support education and to never forget the struggles of those at the grassroots,” he concluded.
He made the announcement during the opening ceremony of the DSP Hajiji Hall and retirement celebration of the headmaster of SK Bundung, near here, Thursday.
Reflecting on his journey from a young politician to becoming the Chief Minister, Hajiji admitted that he never expected to rise to the State’s highest office.
“I have been in politics for more than 35 years. Never did I expect to become the Chief Minister of Sabah. But I know the time will come to give space to the younger generation,” said the Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah President and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah Chairman.
“I have already told my constituents in Sulaman that this will be my last time joining a state election,” he said.
Hajiji, the eight-term Sulaman Assemblyman, said he received many invitations to State-level functions on Thursday but chose to spend time with teachers, parents and the community in Tuaran.
“Such grassroots engagements are meaningful to me and a reminder of why I entered politics in the first place.
“This programme with the school, the PIBG and the kampung people is very meaningful. It is here, with the community, that we truly understand the struggles of the rakyat,” he said.
Hajiji also took the opportunity to remind the people that the State Government had done its best under his leadership, especially in education and human capital development.
He described these as the foundations of Sabah’s future prosperity.
“I want people to remember that during my tenure, education and human capital were given the highest priority. We have invested heavily, because education is the tool that will shape our children and determine the future of this State.
“Never before had the State Government allocated such significant resources to education, welfare and human capital. These measures were designed not for political mileage, but to uplift the next generation of Sabahans,” he said.
Hajiji also called on teachers, parents and community leaders to share the facts about what the Government had achieved, especially in education and welfare.
He cautioned them not to be misled by the opposition’s criticisms on social media, which he dismissed as propaganda and falsehoods.
“There are those who say the Government has done nothing, which is not true. Teachers especially must help spread the truth so that people know what has been achieved.
“Opposition leaders can talk all they want, but when they were in power, what did they do? Compare what they gave with what we are giving now, the record speaks for itself,” he said.
Hajiji has served as an assemblyman for over 35 years and as Chief Minister since 2020. He said PRN17 would be his final electoral battle, marking the end of his political chapter.
“This will be my last election. After this, it is time for the younger generation to continue the struggle. My hope is that they will carry on with the same focus, to uplift the people, to support education and to never forget the struggles of those at the grassroots,” he concluded.