Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who is also Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Chairman, said Barisan Nasional’s (BN) decision not to ally with GRS in the coming 17th State Election (PRN17) has made matters easier for all parties.
“The GRS Supreme Council recently reached unanimous decision that GRS will contest the election with Pakatan Harapan (PH) as its sole partner. Although we had yet to announce it officially, the statement by BN Chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is in line with our firm stand,” he said.
“Why work with those you are not comfortable with? It make no sense,” he said, adding that GRS and PH can now march forward with greater confidence.
Hajiji, who is also Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) President, stressed that Malaysia is a democratic country and GRS’ decision to partner with PH should be respected.
“Although both GRS and BN are part of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s Federal Unity Government, GRS has no issue facing BN in the coming election because Sabah politics is unique. This is nothing new to Sabahans.
“Ultimately, the people will decide and I am confident that GRS and PH will be returned to power as we have always placed the rakyat at heart.
“Our track record over the past five years speaks for itself, not the falsehoods and lies propagated by the opposition,” he said. The latest development means both GRS and BN are unlikely to contest against PH but that both would face off in other constituencies.
Hajiji added that BN’s decision to work with PH is its own prerogative. “For GRS, within the current government, we remain aligned with PH. But we cannot cooperate with those who have betrayed this government.
“Once beaten, twice shy. Some may try to justify their actions with baseless reasons, but conspiring with the enemies to bring down the government is something hard to forgive and forget.
“That has been our decision, because the government today is a GRS-PH Government and we will continue with this,” he said.
Commenting further, Hajiji stressed that clashes over political cooperation are normal in a democracy.
“Sabah politics is rather unique, it is not something new. There was a time when, at the State level, one party was in BN and also in the opposition while at the Federal level the same party was part of the government.
“So, such situations are part and parcel of politics, especially in Sabah,” he said in response to Zahid’s statement that BN would not cooperate with GRS in PRN17 but maintain its alliance with PH.
Earlier at a press conference after launching the State-level Maulidur Rasul SAW 1447H/2025M Celebration Assembly at the Sandakan Community Hall, Hajiji said the State Government would study the proposal to introduce an anti-bullying Bill.
“We support the introduction of the Bill which will be tabled at the next State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting after the election,” he said.
On the progress of the Sandakan Islamic Centre at Kampung Sungai Kayu, here, an initiative by TYT Tun Musa Aman when he was Chief Minister in 2017, Hajiji said the project is now 75 per cent complete.
“This complex will not only become a new landmark in this town but also strengthen the prominence of Islam in the State,” he said.
“In line with the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development roadmap, which emphasises holistic and inclusive growth, we will also develop Sandakan as the state’s second largest city, with vast potential for further development in various sectors, particularly education, tourism, business and trade,” he added.