Kota Kinabalu: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) on Thursday announced four more candidates who will contest under the coalition’s banner in the 17th Sabah Election, thus completing the list of its 55 candidates.
The four are incumbent Sebatik Assemblyman Datuk Hassan A Gani Pg Amir; Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah Kukusan Division Chief Samsiah Usman (Kukusan); former Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) senior lecturer Associate Prof Dr Bonaventure Bonaface (Tamparuli); and GRS Youth Secretary Rafie Robert for the Bingkor seat.
Hajiji said selecting candidates to represent GRS was among the toughest challenges ahead of the election, as all the names submitted to him had made contributions and enjoyed grassroots support and influence.
The Sabah Chief Minister said he had to make the best decision by selecting only one candidate deemed most capable of delivering victory for the coalition.
“I cannot choose two, only one, and this is where the challenge arises for me because all our supporters and leaders have contributed to the good of the party and GRS.
Of course, some may feel dissatisfied, but as leaders, we must embrace tolerance and self-sacrifice, especially as we face the election,” he said.
Hajiji said the more important mission now was to ensure victory for GRS so that the coalition could form the Sabah government after the 17th state election, continuing the policies and direction introduced during its five years in power.
Speaking to reporters later, Hajiji expressed confidence that all GRS candidates in the upcoming election could contribute to the coalition’s victory based on their diverse talents, experience and backgrounds.
He also urged those who were not selected to support the GRS machinery and assist the candidates in all constituencies to ensure victory in the election.
On Wednesday, Hajiji announced 51 of the 55 candidates, featuring a mix of experienced leaders and new faces.