SIPITANG: Sabah is currently unable to follow in the footsteps of Sarawak to form political cooperation involving only local parties in facing the next state elections.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said Sabah still needs cooperation between local parties through Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and other national party partners.
He said the cooperation between GRS - Pakatan Harapan (PH) Plus that forms the state government at the moment is an existing cooperation arrangement for Sabah and it shall be maintained in the coming elections.
“In politics we must cooperate with our friends and now that we are in GRS, we must be united. We must also cooperate with the national parties that are already in Sabah. This is our setup in Sabah as we haven’t got the same as Sarawak. Like it or not, this is our situation. What is important is that we strengthen unity among us in GRS with PH friends and others.
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Also present was Assemblyman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob and Gagagasn Rakyat leaders.
Hajiji, who is also Gagasan Rakyat President reminded members of the party, including in Sindumin, to ensure that it continues to be strengthened, in addition to maintaining cooperation with friends in GRS and the national party.
“Strengthen the unity between us, strengthen cooperation with our friends in GRS and PH Plus. We need to help each other to ensure victory in Sindumin and all other constituencies in the next state elections,” he said.
Meanwhile, CM Hajiji announced the construction of 40 Rumah Mesra Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) for each state constituency next year, a 100pc increase from previously.
He said in all about 3,000 units would be built next year to allow more underprivileged to receive the assistance.
“Previously, we gave each State constituency 20 Rumah Mesra SMJ, but next year we will increase it to 40.
“This is because we know there are many more who are homeless and we need to defend them. We will work on 3,000 houses next year for those who are in the extreme poor category,” he said.
He said that the initiative along with many other initiatives including those related to human capital development only happened with the GRS-PH Plus government.
He explained that the implementation of the initiative for the benefit of the people is in line with the continuous efforts of the state government led by him in defending the fate of the people and bringing development in the state.
He said that the government led by the opposition previously did not implement any initiatives aimed at defending the fate of the people because they were more focused on finding fault with the previous government and leaders.
Meanwhile, Hajiji also expressed his confidence in Sipitang’s potential to become a developed district based on its strategic position near Sarawak, Brunei Darussalam and the Federal Territory of Labuan.
The Chief Minister said that the people of Sipitang will also feel the economic overflow and job opportunities through the opening of factories and businesses in the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park (SOGIP).
He said that the industrial area is already full based on the agreement signed by investors who want to open factories and businesses in the area so far.
“In Sipitang, our people should be proud because we have SOGIP, now the land area in SOGIP is full, many investors from abroad and in the country have signed agreements to open factories and businesses in SOGIP.
“Only in this government (GRS-PH Plus) do many investors come. Although we have not seen it yet, but in the near future or next year investors are expected to start opening factories in SOGIP.
“Of course the people of Sipitang will benefit. So, Sipitang indeed has a great future because of its strategic position, near the border of Sarawak, Brunei and Labuan. God willing we will succeed,” he said.
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