Master is not there, but here. Armizan says days of peninsula leaders making such claims are over
Published on: Mon, Jul 14, 2025
By: Hayati Dzulkifli Text Size: 'It's time we send a clear signal that the master is not there, the master is here — the ultimate master is the people of Sabah. Why did I use the word 'master'? That's a story for another time,' Armizan told a press conference after officiating a national level Consumers' Festival (ConFest) at ITCV Shopping Mall, Sunday. PENAMPANG: GRS Deputy Secretary Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the days when a certain party or coalition in the peninsula can claim that it was responsible for making so and so an Assemblyman or the Sabah Chief Minister are over. 'We've moved on. This is our path forward. We do not want to keep hearing such claims. Past is past. What matters now is the direction we take. 'We can hear in their speeches that 'we (Malaya-based parties/coalition) made Hajiji an assemblyman, we chose Hajiji to be Chief Minister. When we are part of a national coalition or party, sentiments like that are inevitable. 'This is because to become an election candidate, the selection and the official letter of appointment (watikah) have to be issued by leaders from Peninsular Malaysia. 'Even the Chief Minister candidate was chosen from among state leaders who were appointed by the leadership in the peninsula. So whoever is picked will be expected to be loyal and obedient to the top party leadership over there (peninsula). It's different with local parties. 'The candidates are decided by, and the appointment letters issued by, the local party leaders themselves. The Chief Minister comes from among the leaders of these local parties, chosen by our own in Sabah. 'It's time we send a clear signal that the master is not there, the master is here — the ultimate master is the people of Sabah. Why did I use the word 'master'? That's a story for another time,' Armizan told a press conference after officiating a national level Consumers' Festival (ConFest) at ITCV Shopping Mall, Sunday. He was referring to an accusation by Perikatan Nasional (PN) Chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in Sandakan Saturday that GRS Chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor betrayed PN to support Pakatan Harapan (PH) following the last general election. Armizan said while it is the right of any individual to join national parties or national coalitions, GRS has chosen to chart its own course for the future. He also said Muhyiddin deserved thanks for stating there would be no negotiation or cooperation with GRS in the coming 17th State Election (PRN17). The Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living said Muhyiddin's remarks have eased the GRS position in Sabah. He said this development is beneficial because it was PN which publicly rejected working with GRS (in PRN17), preventing GRS from appearing to be arrogant if it (GRS) had been the ones to make such a declaration. 'Now that it is clear where PN stands and GRS doesn't have to issue a statement rejecting collaboration with certain parties — which could make us seem arrogant or conceited. Let others say it, and we'll just welcome it. 'It also makes it easier for us to manage sentiments among our grassroots members. 'As you know, previously it involved BN Sabah, and now it's PN, so this clarity helps us move forward and focusing on winning the support of the people, not chasing after alliances with other coalitions,' he said. He said there is no expectation that national leaders will fully understand Sabah's stance, but he made it clear this is the position (GRS moving forward) they hold today. Armizan who is also Member of Parliament for Papar said some from the peninsula only come to Sabah occasionally—once every three or four months — to talk about State issues and the needs of Sabah people. 'But we are here. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji and our local representatives and leaders are here all the time, consistently fighting for the rights and interests of Sabah. 'At the heart of our fight is our responsibility for Sabah first, the interests of our state above all,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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