
Did SMM board, Hajiji greenlight 'private jet' trip, Sabah Umno leader asks
Sabah Umno strategic communications director Datu Rosman Datu Ahir Zaman urged the government-linked company (GLC) to clarify the alleged trip's purpose - whether it was an official working visit, an investment negotiation, or for backroom negotiations.

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Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Federal leader's insult pushed GRS into unity govt, says Hajiji
GRS chairman Hajiji Noor said many of Sabah's demands were approved by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, whereas previous leaders found difficulty in devolving power to the state. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : A federal leader's disdain for the proposed 'Borneo Bloc' political cooperation led Gabungan Rakyat Sabah into supporting Anwar Ibrahim's formation of the unity government after the 2022 general election, GRS chairman Hajiji Noor said today. Speaking at the annual convention of Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, he said a former federal leader, whom he did not name, had dismissed the idea of Bornean cooperation. 'I was with Masidi Manjun and Jeffrey Kitingan in a meeting with a big leader over there (in Peninsular Malaysia) at the time. The person said they were the masters. He did not like the Borneo Bloc. He did not want us to share our experiences and stories with our neighbouring state of Sarawak,' he said. 'I was shocked by his words. I thought about them for a long time. What did they mean? What was his intent? As I thought about it, I lost heart (tawar hati) in these people,' he said in a video of his speech published on Facebook by Sabah Media. Hajiji said it was after much thought that he finally decided that GRS would support the unity government being formed by Anwar. Since then, he said Anwar's government 'has listened to our voices, and we have been treated well', and reiterated that GRS remained in support of the prime minister. Hajiji said many of Sabah's demands under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 were approved by Anwar, as opposed to previous leaders who found difficulty in devolving power to the state. 'So what are we hoping for? If the unity government is good for our state, why shouldn't we support it?' he said. In March, deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof said the unity government had successfully resolved nine key claims related to MA63, including power to regulate gas supply in Sabah, the administration of the judiciary in Sabah and Sarawak, and guidelines on land reserved for federal purposes in the two states.


The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Former leader's opposition to Borneo bloc prompted GRS to back unity government, Hajiji says
KOTA KINABALU: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chose to support the Madani government after the federal election 2022 because of a former government leader's apparent dislike for the idea of a Borneo bloc, says Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. The GRS chairman said he was deeply shocked by the individual, which led him to lose the will to cooperate with them. 'He called himself a 'master' and said he didn't like the Borneo bloc. He didn't want us to share stories or experiences with our neighbouring state Sarawak. 'I was stunned by those words. I kept thinking about his intentions. The more I thought, the more disheartened I became. 'In the end, I decided to take GRS to support the unity government,' the Sabah Chief Minister said during the presidential winding-up speech at the 2025 Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) annual general assembly here on Sunday (July 27). Hajiji said backing the unity government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was the right move, as Sabah has since seen gradual returns of its rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). He said it was previously difficult to get the federal government to delegate powers or approve Sabah's requests. 'So, if the unity government is good for our state, why shouldn't we support it?' he added. Earlier today, Hajiji confirmed that GRS and Pakatan would contest the election as an electoral pact, saying both coalitions would 'continue the cooperation between GRS and Pakatan as it stands today." The Borneo bloc was an effort following the 2018 general election to give Sabah and Sarawak MPs a greater voice for the region in the federal government. Following the November 2022 general election, Hajiji led a mass exodus to support the Unity Government, abandoning Perikatan Nasional and Bersatu. Hajiii and senior leaders of Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah were with Bersatu, led by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at that time. Meanwhile, during a press conference later, Hajiji said he would be accompanying Anwar to Jakarta, Indonesia. He said both leaders would be discussing issues related to development and Sabah's long-standing maritime boundary claim involving Ambalat with the Indonesian government.


New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Hajiji: GRS chose unity govt after Borneo cooperation dismissed by past 'prominent leader'
KOTA KINABALU: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chose to support the unity government after feeling disappointed with a 'prominent leader', said its chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. "I had an experience with Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun and Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan when we met 'a prominent leader' in Kuala Lumpur. "That person said they were the 'master' and expressed dislike towards the idea of a 'Borneo Bloc'. "He also did not want us to share our experience and story with our neighbour, Sarawak. "I was shocked by those words. It took me some time to think about it and to understand what he meant. "I felt so disheartened by them. After much reflection, I decided that GRS should support the unity government," he said during his winding-up at Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah annual general assembly at the Sabah International Convention Centre here. Hajiji, who is also Gagasan president, clarified that the 'prominent leader' is not part of the unity government. The state chief minister said GRS would continue to support Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, as he had introduced many initiatives and upheld rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963. "If the unity government is good for the state, why shouldn't we support it?" Commenting on his visit to Jakarta with Anwar tomorrow, he said the trip would include discussions with the Indonesian government on development matters related to the Sulawesi Sea. Hajiji also gave his assurance that the Sabah government would continue to pursue the state's entitlement to 40 per cent revenue, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.