Kota Kinabalu: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Deputy Secretary-General Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the dissolution of the Sabah State Assembly is imminent, with speculation pointing to early October.
Urging voters not to be swayed by rhetoric alone and, instead, to evaluate the track record of leaders who are presenting themselves as potential Chief Ministers, he said:“While opposition parties have long begun their political campaigns, sometimes even straying into irrelevant issues, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) has remained focused on governance.
“For GRS, once the dissolution is announced, it will be all systems go. Our campaign will focus on two key elements - first, explaining our record of governance over the past five years, and second, presenting our offers for the next five years if given the mandate again,” he said.
Armizan reminded Sabahans that this election is not just about promises but also about performance.
“Every party has been in government at some point, either at the federal or state level. Some have ruled for decades, some for two years.
“Therefore, they must all present their records, not just new pledges,” he stressed.
In a direct jab, Armizan said voters should scrutinise the constituencies of Semporna MP Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal and Kinabatangan MP Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, who are being touted as possible Chief Minister.
“Some of these leaders have been MPs for decades, holding multiple terms, even senior positions in federal and state governments. Yet the question is: how much development and basic progress have they delivered in their constituencies?“If they say they want to save Sabah and bring change, then first look at the state of Semporna and Kinabatangan,” he said.
Armizan suggested that Sabahans should not take political slogans at face value but, instead, seek out stories, experiences and evidence from the people living in those constituencies.
“In this digital age, people can easily find testimonies and stories online. Before believing anyone is the best candidate for Chief Minister, ask: what have they really delivered in their own areas over the years?” he said.
Armizan also underlined that GRS’s own Chief Minister candidate is its chairman, and the coalition will present itself to voters with both proven governance and fresh commitments.
“The fairest way for Sabahans to judge candidates is not by their promises, but by their tangible track record.
“Promises are easy to make. But the true measure is what has already been delivered. That is the real test of whether someone is fit to be Chief Minister,” he said.