CHIEF Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said his ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition will decide at its Supreme Council meeting whether to go solo in the coming state election.
When pressed after officiating the inaugural Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) convention at the Hongkod Koisaan Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association, Saturday, on when this decision would be made, he said: “Wait lah.”
Supporters from both PBS and Star chanted “solo, solo, solo” as Hajiji was giving his speech at the convention. He said the calls were a very good sign for unity within GRS and that the local spirit is very high.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});On whether he would serve out his full term with just four months left before the state election must be held, he said: “Do not ask me that. We will think about it.
“We in GRS, any decision must be made through the coalition’s Supreme Council.
“When I want to dissolve, I will inform all my colleagues, the party presidents when to dissolve. It is done on consensus, even though it is the Chief Minister’s prerogative to advise the Head of State, but we cannot sideline our friends in the coalition,” he said.
Earlier at the convention, Hajiji pointed out Sabah’s notable economic recovery since GRS took power in September 2020, when the State faced “the worst economic situation in its history”.
“With careful planning and implementation of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ 1.0) policy direction, we not only succeeded in restoring it but also boosted the State’s economic performance to a very impressive level,” he said.
He pointed out Sabah’s Gross Domestic Product, which grew to RM84.3 billion in 2024 from RM83.2 billion in 2023.
Additionally, the State revenue collection for 2022, 2023 and 2024 nearly reached RM7 billion, compared to just RM3.59 billion in 2020.
On top of that, the Sabah Government’s reserves now stand at RM8.6 billion, while domestic and foreign investments brought into Sabah since 2021 total RM35.38 billion.
“All of this is a healthy economic indicator and proof of the capability and excellence of the State Government led by GRS. No one can deny it. Only the opposition chooses to close their eyes and deny these facts,” Hajiji said. He said Sabah can turn into a more advanced, prosperous, peaceful and harmonious State if GRS continues receiving the people’s mandate.
“We will ensure all development plans that have been outlined can be fully implemented from the city to the interior.
“The Sabah Maju Jaya policy is not just a document but a long-term strategic plan covering human resource development, natural resource management and administrative efficiency.”
He acknowledged that despite economic success, the GRS continues to face ongoing challenges from opposition parties envious of the coalition’s achievements.
“They will not stop. They are jealous of our success. They want to see us fail, be weak and fall,” he said, describing opposition tactics as including false propaganda, deception and slander.
“Our house, we protect. GRS is our house, our place of shelter and the organising of our struggle. If we do not take care of it, who else can we count on?” he said.
At the PBS-Star convention, Hajiji said it is a historic moment in strengthening local political consensus, with the close cooperation between the two local parties showing political maturity that puts Sabah’s interests above ideological differences.
“This convention not only shows the spirit of unity among local parties with their history and principles but also proves that GRS is capable of going further as a political coalition that truly represents the aspirations of the people of Sabah,” he said.