Kota Kinabalu: The ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) will contest 55 seats in the 17th State Election come Nov. 29. Caretaker Chief Minister cum GRS Chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said 35 per cent are new faces and the rest a mix of experienced leaders and young talents.
“I am confident they are capable of winning this election,” he said, after announcing 51 of the candidates at Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), Wednesday.
Hajiji will defend his Sulaman seat, while other candidates include Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Acting President Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam who will defend Kundasang, United Sabah National Organisation (Usno) President Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia in Pintasan, Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS) President Tan Sri Anifah Aman (Bongawan).
The rest are Datuk Mohamad Mohamarin (Banggi), Dr Samuil Mopun (Bengkoka), Datuk Seri Ruddy Awah (Pitas), Datuk Ben Chong Chen Bin (Tanjung Kapor), Datuk Julita Majungki (Matunggong), Datuk Redonah Bahanda (Bandau), Datuk Hendrus Anding (Tandek), Datuk Mohd Arsad Bistari (Tempasuk), Datuk Japlin Akim (Usukan), Mudezam Muyau (Kadamaian);
Datuk Jasnih Daya (Pantai Dalit), Datuk Joniston Bangkuai (Kiulu), Datuk Arshad Idris (Karambunai), Datuk Mohd Razali Razi (Darau), Shah Alfie Yahya (Tanjung Keramat), Joeynwood Bansin (Moyog), Datuk Juil Nuatim (Limbahau), Dato’ Sri Gulamhaidar Khan Bahadar (Kawang), Datuk Pg Saifuddin Pg Tahir Petra (Pantai Manis); Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif (Membakut), Datuk Isnin Aliasnih (Klias), Datuk Limus Jury (Kuala Penyu), Datuk Ruslan Muharam (Lumadan), Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun (N37 Karanaan), Datuk Abidin Madingkir (Paginatan), Datuk Victor Paut (Tambunan), Datuk Annuar Ayub Aman (Liawan); Datuk Rubin Balang (Kemabong), Datuk Ellron Angin (Sook), Datuk Abdul Ghani Yasin (Nabawan), Datuk Jonybone J Kurum (Telupid), Datuk James Ratib (Sugut), Datuk Samad Jamri (Labuk), Hazem Mubarak Musa (Sungai Manila), Datuk Amirshah Yaakub (Sungai Sibuga), Puan Sri Diana Diego @ Yusrina Sufiana (Sekong); Datuk Masiung Banah (Kuamut), Johainizamshah Johari (Lamag), Juhari Janan (Sukau), Datuk Abdul Hakim Gulam Hassan (Tungku), Datuk Mizma Apehdullah (Silam), Datuk Norazlinah Arif (Kunak); Datuk Marunda KK Ampong (Senallang), Noordin Abdul Hussin (N66 Bugaya), Syed Ahmad Syed Abas (Balung), Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan (Apas) and Dr Andi Md Shamsureezal (Tanjung Batu).
Four more candidates – Tamparuli, Bingkor, Tulid and Kukusan – will be announced today (Thursday).
“I hope with the unveiling of our candidates, all GRS supporters and component parties will work tirelessly to ensure our candidates win,” he said.
Hajiji called on all supporters to unite their efforts to secure victory for GRS in the State Election. “Let us rally our spirit, unite our determination and ensure victory is ours. We choose GRS, we vote for GRS and we win with GRS!”
Earlier, Hajiji highlighted that the State Government under his leadership has striven to do its best to bring about change and progress for the people of Sabah.
“I, together with the people and this Government, have exerted our utmost efforts to bring about change and progress for the people. While not every success can be showcased, every step taken has been within the framework of the law and carried out responsibly,” he said.
He said over the five years of GRS administration has seen the State’s economy recovere, investment increase and numerous new employment opportunities created. Industrial parks such as Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) and Sabah Oil and Gas Industrial Park (Sogip) are now unable to meet the rising demand.
“Therefore, the Government has decided to develop three more new industrial parks at potential locations in Beaufort - Kimanis, Kota Belud - Kota Marudu and Kudat. Kudat will be developed as a Blue Economy industrial hub to stimulate growth in northern Sabah,” he said.
He added that the Government has signed several important agreements with Petronas and local companies for the development of the oil and gas industry, bringing substantial benefits to the State.
In the education sector, the Government allocated RM1.02 billion over five years for various scholarship and education fund programmes, benefiting more than 480,000 Sabah children through human capital development initiatives.
The Government has not neglected the welfare of the poor and hardcore poor. Through the Rumah Mesra SMJ programme, 7,482 housing units have been approved, with 5,322 completed and occupied.
A monthly cash aid of RM300 is also provided to 100,000 recipients.
In infrastructure, the Government increased the number of Water Treatment Plants (WTP) from 85 to 91, including the upgrading of LRA Telibong II, LRA Beluran, LRA Kanibongan and the Kasigui Urgent Water Supply Scheme (UWSS) at a total cost of RM1.2 billion. The RM300 million Air Cinta Mata Dam in Tawau is also expected to be completed by 2026.
Hajiji is confident that water supply issues would be fully resolved next year.
In the energy sector, Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (Sabah Electricity) introduced a Battery Energy Storage System (Bess) to meet electricity demand in the East Coast.
The State Energy Council approved 11 power generation projects with a total capacity of 1,219 megawatts, while the RM3.048 billion Ulu Padas Hydroelectric Dam Project is expected to generate 187.5 megawatts by 2029.
The State Government has also accelerated road development through the resumed Pan Borneo Highway Sabah Project, with four out of 39 packages completed, while RM4.89 billion has been allocated for the maintenance and upgrading of village roads throughout the State.
Hajiji emphasised that environmental conservation efforts continue, targeting 30 per cent of the State’s land as Totally Protected Areas (TPA) and 1.015 million hectares as Marine Protected Areas (MPA), in addition to preserving over 1,000 hectares of green areas.
“All these efforts are aimed at ensuring that Sabah remains progressive, resilient and prosperous,” he said.
He further stressed that GRS candidates come from the coalition’s extended family, ready to fight, serve and dedicate themselves to the people.
“With this announcement, we strengthen our leadership ranks, reinforce our fighting spirit and ensure victory! We choose GRS, we vote for GRS and we win with GRS – God willing, we will return to lead the State Government,” he said.
