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CARETAKER Sabah Chief Minister and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman, Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, has urged voters to carefully assess the performance and achievements of political parties before casting their ballots in the upcoming 17th Sabah General Election.
Speaking at a GRS gathering for the Sulaman constituency in Kampung Lok Batik today, Hajiji emphasised the importance of making informed choices that would shape the state’s governance for the next term.
“Sabahans must not make the wrong choice in selecting the party that will govern the state after the election.
“GRS has a clear agenda—people’s development, the economy, support for the poor, basic village infrastructure, and the education of children. All of this has been proven over the five years we have been given the mandate by the people,” he said, highlighting the coalition’s achievements over the past five years.
Hajiji, who is also President of Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS), outlined key milestones during GRS’s tenure, including monthly financial assistance ranging from RM250 to RM500 to more than 70,000 beneficiaries, encompassing the elderly and persons with disabilities.
He also noted the construction of 40 Rumah Mesra Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) units this year, with an additional 10 homes allocated for newlywed youths in each state assembly constituency across Sabah.
“I am deeply moved seeing citizens receive the homes they have long dreamed of. This is the achievement of GRS’s struggle. Next year, we will add another 10 houses for young couples who have recently married or are still living with their parents,” Hajiji said.
Beyond the state election, Hajiji also addressed the federal government’s move to increase parliamentary representation for Sabah and Sarawak, describing it as a long-awaited and necessary measure.
He explained that several constituencies in Sabah are no longer balanced in terms of population and geographic size.
“Several parliamentary constituencies in Sabah are now no longer balanced in terms of population and actual size. In our area too, the population has already increased.
“Take Kinabatangan as an example — it is as large as Pahang, with one parliamentary seat for the entire area. For Tuaran, we have one parliamentary seat, but it is bigger than Perlis,” he said, stressing that the expansion aligns with the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim earlier reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to increasing parliamentary seats for both Sabah and Sarawak, noting that the move has been adopted as policy under the unity government.
Hajiji welcomed the announcement, underscoring the importance of equitable representation given the vast land areas and growing populations of the two states.
Hajiji’s statements come amid preparations for the 17th Sabah State Election, as GRS positions itself as the coalition with a proven track record in delivering social welfare, infrastructure, and economic development for the state’s citizens. - November 16, 2025