Hajiji confident GRS will secure new mandate in Sabah election
KOTA KINABALU (July 27): Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor has reiterated his confidence that the people of Sabah will once again choose Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) to lead the state after the 17th State Election.
He said his confidence stems from the strong track record of the GRS-led state government over the past five years in laying a solid foundation for Sabah's development.
'When we formed the government nearly five years ago, we began with determination and a clear vision— like an architect building his palace with strong pillars and a solid foundation.
'That is how we built this house of ours, from the aspirations and desires of the grassroots, driven by a strong local party spirit. We did not promise the moon and stars, but we promised to do our best for the people.
'I believe the people are wise enough to choose who is best suited to govern after PRN17. And I'm confident that, with the strong track record shown by this state government, the people will once again elect GRS to lead Sabah for the next five years.
'God willing, all development plans can be continued and realised for the sake of administrative continuity and sustained success,' he said in his keynote address at the Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) Annual General Assembly held at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) on Sunday.
The Gagasan Rakyat president and GRS chairman acknowledged that PRN17 will be the most critical test for the coalition, as well as the best opportunity to secure a fresh mandate to form a strong and stable state government.
He said the development plans being implemented are not mere slogans but have already shown tangible results, as reflected in Sabah's positive economic growth, momentum that requires a strong public mandate to continue.
He emphasised that the 17th state election cannot be treated as an ordinary election, as it concerns a responsibility that will determine the state's future and the fate of the next generation.
'Victory for GRS will give us a stronger voice in our efforts to develop Sabah. It will place us in a stronger position to assert and defend Sabah's rights. On the other hand, if we fail to form the government, we will have squandered a golden opportunity to put local political power at the forefront of Sabah's political landscape.
'It is not impossible that all the policies and plans currently running well could be overturned or cancelled, as we've seen before—and the ones who will suffer are the people, and the ones who lose out will be the state of Sabah,' he said.
Hajiji said the GRS government has done its utmost to fulfil the mandate given by the people in the last state election by delivering promises that were achievable for the benefit of Sabahans.
He also called urged the entire Gagasan Rakyat election machinery—from the top leadership, Women's Wing, Youth and Beliawanis Wings, down to the grassroots—to enter the the election battlefield to win the hearts of the people, especially the younger generation.
'Work wholeheartedly for our beloved party! Use the time we have to continue engaging with the people. Listen to their heartbeat, understand their needs, and prove that Gagasan Rakyat is more than just a name.
'The time has come for us to step into the arena with burning spirit and unwavering confidence to fight for the people and the future of our beloved state of Sabah.
'God willing, we will win this election and return with a mandate from the people that is stronger, fresher, more meaningful, and more dignified,' he said. 17th state election GRS hajiji noor lead mandate
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
3 hours ago
- Borneo Post
All GRS assemblymen to defend seats — Joachim
Dr Joachim striking the gong to officiate the event, witnessed by Michael (third from right) and Jonnybone (second from left). TELUPID (Aug 3): All current state assemblymen under Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) will continue to represent the coalition in the upcoming 17th State Election, said Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Joachim Gunsalam. He made the affirmation during the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Telupid annual general meeting recently. Dr Joachim, who is acting president of PBS, said the GRS government is capable of guaranteeing political stability in Sabah as it comprises eight local parties that prioritise the state's development. He said this stability has been a key driver of economic growth since GRS assumed leadership of the state. 'GRS must continue to govern Sabah to ensure the continuity of comprehensive economic progress,' he said. Dr Joachim also urged PBS Telupid members to unite and fully support division chief and Telupid assemblyman Datuk Jonnybone J. Kurum in retaining the seat. 'Jonnybone has been vocal in the State Assembly and is committed to the people of Telupid. It is only right that we ensure his re-election,' said Dr Joachim, who is also the Minister of Local Government and Housing. He congratulated organising chairman Marcellus Jeffrey and the PBS Telupid Division committee for the successful event, while also acknowledging PBS chief advisor Datuk Seri Panglima Michael Asang, former Labuk assemblyman, for his continued presence and contributions. 'It should be remembered that Telupid was once part of the Labuk constituency, and Datuk Seri Michael Asang played a significant role in this area,' he added. Among those present were Labuk assemblyman and Gagasan Rakyat Sabah chief Datuk Samad Jamri, as well as representatives from Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) and Gagasan Rakyat Telupid Division. Meanwhile, Jonnybone thanked Dr Joachim for attending the event despite his tight schedule and expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Local Government and Housing for allocations to repair the Telupid Native Court building. He also welcomed upcoming legislative amendments aimed at improving the institution.
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
China and Russia start joint drills in Sea of Japan
BEIJING: China and Russia began joint naval drills in the Sea of Japan on Sunday as they seek to reinforce their partnership and counterbalance what they see as a US-led global order. Alongside economic and political ties, Moscow and Beijing have strengthened their military cooperation in recent years, and their relations have deepened since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The "Joint Sea-2025" exercises kicked off in waters near the Russian port of Vladivostok and would last for three days, China's defence ministry said in a statement on Sunday. The two sides will hold "submarine rescue, joint anti-submarine, air defence and anti-missile operations, and maritime combat." Four Chinese vessels, including guided-missile destroyers Shaoxing and Urumqi, are participating in the exercises alongside Russian ships, the ministry said. After the drills, the two countries will conduct naval patrols in "relevant waters of the Pacific." China and Russia have carried out annual drills for several years, with the "Joint Sea" exercises beginning in 2012. Last year's drills were held along China's southern coast. The Chinese defence ministry said Friday that this year's exercises were aimed at "further deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership" of the two countries. China has never denounced Russia's more than three-year war nor called for it to withdraw its troops, and many of Ukraine's allies, including the United States, believe that Beijing has provided support to Moscow. China insists it is a neutral party, regularly calling for an end to the fighting while also accusing Western countries of prolonging the conflict by arming Ukraine.--AFP
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
Pandikar now backs Hajiji's move for GRS to work with Pakatan
KOTA KINABALU: Outspoken United Sabah National Organisation (Usno) president Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia has backed Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor's decision to go into an electoral pact with Pakatan Harapan. "I support Hajiji's stand in working together with any parties, so long as the deal benefits GRS in that the seats allocation ratio favours GRS," he said Sunday (Aug 3). Pandikar said that Hajiji discussed with him personally and assured that GRS would be putting candidates in more than 50 out of the 73 state seats. "This to me is a stand that is within the scope of the definition of the GRS's war cry 'Rumah Kita, Kita Jaga,' (Our Home, We Protect)," he said when contacted. Pandikar, along with Sabah STAR president Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee, have been pushing for the eight-party GRS to contest independently in the upcoming state election. "I admit that I have amplified the voice of Datuk Dr Jeffrey, that whoever works with Malaya parties are traitor," Pandikar said. He said Usno's views expressed during political roadshows were to gauge Sabahans' opinions, and if they would support a local party if it were to go solo. "Whilst a reasonable number of Sabahans aspire for GRS to go solo, there are also many who expressed the opinion that total political confrontation with Putrajaya is not a wise move," he said. As such, Usno will remain in GRS to contest in the upcoming election and will support the decision of the GRS chairman to collaborate with any political parties in the election. On July 27, Hajiji announced that GRS will work with Pakatan in the coming state election and subsequently said that he had consulted with GRS leaders on the decision to work with Pakatan to ensure political stability. The SAPP president said that the GRS supreme council had not endorsed the decision and maintained the party's stand that GRS should go solo. Jeffrey has not officially responded to Hajiji's announcement to work with Pakatan, which is already working on an electoral pact with Barisan Nasional for the coming election.
