Kota Kinabalu: Only Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) as the ruling State Government is eligible to form the much-discussed Borneo Bloc together with Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to fight for MA63 rights, said former Tuaran District Council Deputy Chairman, George Teo.
“Any other party other than GRS do not qualify. GRS Chairman Datuk Hajiji Noor, who is also Chief Minister, had made it very clear that his vision is to see Sabah and Sarawak united in one voice to fight for the rights of the two Borneon states,” he said.
Teo said Hajiji’s decision to go into GE15 using the GRS logo and slogan of “Sabah First” to match the “Sarawak First” of the neighbouring state clearly indicated this, and advised people not be hoodwinked by claims, especially by the opposition, that they can form a Borneo Bloc with GPS by bypassing the ruling State Government.
He said Hajiji and Sarawak counterpart Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg met early this year to discuss areas of mutual interest for cooperation and this showed they are working towards the common good of both states.
“Even peninsula parties or coalitions have recognised the need to work with GPS in Sarawak and GRS in Sabah. So, for any other party or parties to claim that they can form the Borneo Block with GPS is wrong,” said Teo.
Teo said Hajiji’s achievement in recording record revenues for the State after coming into power in Sept 2020 should be a yardstick to measure the GRS-BN State Government’s success.
“For almost 60 years since independence, Sabah was not able to achieve such revenue but Hajiji did it in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
He said the fact that foreign investors are flocking to Sabah showed the GRS-BN State Government is doing things right.
“Foreign investors will only come if they have confidence as they are pumping huge sums of money into the State,” he said. Such development would ensure plenty of job opportunities for Sabahans.
Hence, Teo said, whoever formed the Federal Government after GE15 would have to work with GRS and not any other party.
* Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss.
* Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.