Hajiji puts trust in Beluran trio ahead of polls
BELURAN (Aug 16): With the 17th Sabah State Election (PRN17) on the horizon, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor has called on voters in Beluran to rally behind Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), emphasising the importance of political stability and continuity in driving long-term development.
Addressing a crowd during the launch of Pesta Labuk Beluran 2025 on Saturday, Hajiji said he was confident that GRS would retain all three state seats in the district namely Telupid, Sugut and Labuk, in the upcoming polls.
'We're nearing five years of administration. The election isn't far off, and I want all three constituencies in Beluran to be won by GRS. Support the candidates from our coalition,' he urged.
The Chief Minister also cautioned the public against being misled by what he described as slander and misinformation propagated by the opposition.
'Don't be too quick to believe their accusations and lies. Every day, they manufacture slander, even while sleeping, they are dreaming up falsehoods,' he remarked.
He stressed that the people should remain focused on the progress and development achieved under GRS, instead of being distracted by divisive narratives.
'We must move forward. Let's not allow these malicious tactics to derail our unity or the future we're building,' he said.
Hajiji expressed strong confidence in the re-election prospects of GRS assemblymen Datuk Samad Jambri (Labuk), Datuk James Ratib (Sugut) and Datuk Jonnybone Kurum (Telupid), praising their work on the ground and dedication to their constituents.
'InsyaAllah, after the election, GRS will continue to lead the government. Samad will win again here in Labuk. James and Jonnybone too. We must unite to ensure they succeed,' Hajiji said.
Samad has been the state assemblyman for Labuk since 2020. A member of Gagasan Rakyat, a key party in the GRS coalition, he has played an active role in rural infrastructure development and economic empowerment programmes in the district. He currently serves as the Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister.
James is the current Minister of Community Development and People's Wellbeing. Formerly with Umno, he joined Gagasan Rakyat and has since been a vocal advocate for healthcare access, social welfare and native land rights.
Meanwhile, Jonnybone represents Telupid and is aligned with Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), one of the founding components of GRS.
Touching on long-standing land issues, Hajiji also called on Yayasan Sabah to review claims by villagers who have occupied foundation-owned land for decades.
'They've been living there for generations. If possible, we should allocate this land as village reserve. We are a caring government, and we want our people to have certainty in their livelihoods,' he said.
He stressed that the state government must prioritise resolving land tenure issues affecting informal settlers and rural communities to ensure long-term stability and development.
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