Sabah won’t form alliance with only local parties for state polls – Hajiji

SIPITANG (Sept 21): Sabah is not ready to follow in Sarawak’s footsteps of forming a political alliance involving only local parties for the upcoming State Election (PRN), said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor.

This is because Sabah still needs cooperation between local parties through Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) with other national parties.

The current GRS-Pakatan Harapan (PH) Plus coalition, which forms the state government, is a pre-established arrangement for Sabah, and it will be maintained in the upcoming state election, he said.

Hajiji, who is also the GRS chairman, said this when officiating Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) Sindumin Division annual general meeting here on Saturday.

“In politics, we must work with our partners, and this is what we are doing in GRS now — we must be united. We also need to collaborate with the national parties that are present in Sabah.

“This is our ‘setup’ in Sabah; we have not yet reached the stage of Sarawak. Whether we like it or not, this is the reality in Sabah. What is important is that we strengthen unity within GRS with our partners in PH and others.

“If we cooperate, avoid sabotage, and help each other, I am confident we can easily win the PRN,” he said.

Hajiji who is also Gagasan Rakyat president reminded party members, including those in Sindumin, to ensure that the party remains strong while maintaining cooperation with partners in GRS and national parties.

“Strengthen unity among ourselves and enhance cooperation with our partners in GRS and PH Plus. We must help each other to secure victories in Sindumin and other areas in the upcoming state election,” he said.

On a different matter, Hajiji announced the construction of 40 Rumah Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) for each State constituency next year, an increase from 20 homes per year previously.

He said that approximately 3,000 Rumah SMJ will be built next year to provide more assistance to the hardcore poor who do not yet own homes.

“Previously, we allocated 20 SMJ Friendly Homes for each DUN constituency for the hardcore poor, but next year we will increase it from 20 to 40 homes.

“This is because we know there are still many Sabahans who do not own homes, and we need to support them. We will work on building 3,000 homes next year for those in the hardcore poor category,” he said.

According to the Chief Minister, the initiative, along with many other initiatives, particularly in human capital development, is being implemented under the GRS-PH Plus government.

The implementation of initiatives for the benefit of the people aligns with the state government’s ongoing efforts to support the people and bring development to the state.

Hajiji said that the previous opposition-led government did not implement any initiatives aimed at supporting the people, as they were more focused on finding faults with the previous government and leaders.

Meanwhile, Hajiji expressed his confidence in Sipitang’s potential to become a developed district due to its strategic location near Sarawak, Brunei Darussalam, and the Federal Territory of Labuan.

The Chief Minister noted that the people of Sipitang will benefit from economic opportunities and job creation through the opening of factories and businesses in the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park (SOGIP).

He disclosed that the industrial area is already fully occupied based on agreements signed by investors who plan to open factories and businesses there.

“The people of Sipitang should be proud because we have SOGIP. The land in SOGIP is now fully occupied, with many local and international investors having signed agreements to set up factories and businesses in the area.

“It is under this government (GRS-PH Plus) that many investors have come. Even though we may not see it yet, within the near future or next year, investors are expected to start opening factories in SOGIP.

“Certainly, the people of Sipitang will benefit. Sipitang has a bright future due to its strategic location near the borders of Sarawak, Brunei, and Labuan. InsyaAllah, we will succeed,” he said.

Also present was the Sindumin Division Chief of Gagasan Rakyat and Sindumin Assemblyman, Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob.