KUNAK: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said he respects Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s views on political stability in Sabah.
The PM’s aspiration, as Chairman of Pakatan Harapan (PH), is to see the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition collaborate with PH and Barisan Nasional (BN) in the coming 17th Sabah state election.
Hajiji said GRS has no issues with cooperation but emphasised that the matter must be referred to the coalition’s Supreme Council for a decision.
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');});“I had a meeting with the Prime Minister in Tawau on Sunday and we highly respect his views and advice on how to achieve political stability in Sabah because stability allows us to progress and implement various developments for the people.
“In terms of cooperation, we have no problems because the current State Government was established following an alliance between GRS and PH.
“However, the GRS Supreme Council will have the final say on matters related to the coming state election.
“I told the Prime Minister that we must consider local aspirations to build political consensus for moving forward,” he told reporters after attending the Majlis Bersama Ketua Menteri: Membina Masa Depan Kunak at the Padang Pekan Kunak, here, Monday.
Present were Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, State Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, State Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib, Kunak Assemblywoman Datuk Norazlinah Arif and State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong.
Earlier, in his speech at the event, Hajiji reiterated his stance that GRS should lead the challenge in the coming PRN17.
He said he sensed the desire of the people for the State Government to be led by a local party, particularly through GRS, as the only political coalition based on local parties in Sabah.
Hajiji said the achievements of the current GRS-led State Government were evident, including in economic development, which should be further enhanced through a new mandate from the people in the coming state election.
“We have implemented many initiatives across Sabah that are excellent not only for the State’s development but also for our overall economy.
“I am proud because we have a strong team in the Government, and the people have given us solid support. We must learn from Sabah’s political history. Constant infighting will only lead to division.
“That is why I want GRS to lead in the coming state election. I feel the pulse of the people. Their aspiration is for the Government to be led by a local party in Sabah.
“Let’s not think otherwise. We must ensure support for the current government, whose achievements are already visible,” he said.
Hajiji noted that the accomplishments under his leadership have never been seen in previous administrations, such as the Commercial Collaboration Agreement (CCA) with Petronas, which has brought significant benefits to Sabah.
He said Sabah gained much from the agreement, including a 20 per cent stake in the Samarang Production Sharing Contract (PSC) and the Sabah Ammonia Urea (Samur) project in Sipitang.
“We gained a lot and there are still ongoing negotiations with Petronas. In the past, this was unheard of. If we negotiate well, Petronas gives us the opportunity to advance Sabah’s oil and gas sector,” he said.
He added that his government’s achievements remained a priority despite being targeted by slander, including claims that he is a weak leader.
“Even though I am slandered daily — some say Hajiji is weak, sentimental —but they do not know who Hajiji is. I am not afraid, we will fight because I know the people are behind GRS,” he said.
At the event, Hajiji also announced the handover of land by the Housing and Urban Development Board (LPPB) as a village reserve for Kampung Kunak Jaya, Bagian and Selamat.
He further announced a State Government allocation of RM1.2 million to build jetty facilities in Kampung Pangkalan, as requested by Norazlinah.
Hajiji, who is also GRS Chairman, urged the people of Kunak to continue supporting Norazlinah and to ensure GRS’s victory in the state election for continuity of development in the district.