TAMPARULI: Various slogans used by parties to garner public support in the 17th State Election have been described as meaningless and not reflecting the real situation in Sabah today.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said they use slogans such as “Selamatkan Sabah (Save Sabah)”, “Kasi Bagus Sabah (Fix Sabah)” and “Bikin Balik Sabah (Rebuild Sabah)” but are unable to say what exactly needs saving, fixing or rebuilding.
He said the wide range of promises paired with different slogans contradicts the achievements of the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Government, which have been delivered over the past five years.
“This election is extremely important because our votes will determine the government that will lead Sabah for the next five years.
“Many other parties are offering all sorts of things, including those who were once given the chance by the people to govern. Now they are competing again with all kinds of slogans.
“Some came from outside with the slogan ‘Fix Sabah’. I do not know what they want to fix. Another party failed to govern Sabah for two and a half years and now uses the slogan ‘Save Sabah’. What is it they want to save?
“GRS has proven over five years that we have brought various efforts and successes to Sabah and defended the poor in ways never done before.
“Only now they open their eyes and say they want to ‘Save Sabah’, ‘Fix Sabah’ and even ‘Rebuild Sabah’. These slogans do not work in Sabah. Sabah wants to move forward,” he said during the GRS Mega Tour Programme at Tamparuli Town Market, Sunday.
The campaign event was attended by GRS candidates Dr Bonaventure Boniface for Tamparuli and Datuk Joniston Bangkuai for Kiulu, as well as former Tamparuli Assemblyman Datuk Seri Jahid Jahim and other GRS component leaders.
Hajiji, who is also GRS Chairman, said for the State to progress, the people must choose GRS, including in the Tamparuli and Kiulu constituencies.
“We want to develop Sabah. We have various initiatives that have clearly succeeded over the past five years. Only those who turn a blind eye or refuse to acknowledge what GRS has done will deny our achievements.
“Besides strengthening the economy, we also never forget the people at the grassroots. We help those who are struggling and still need government assistance. We have introduced many initiatives for them.
“One of these is a programme this year called Syukur, which gives monthly assistance of RM300 to poor households listed under eKasih. About 100,000 people benefit from this and we will continue if we form the government again.
“In addition, we will also provide assistance to those aged over 60. This shows we do the work and we have the funds. I am also proposing support for first time homebuyers purchasing homes priced below RM500,000,” he said.
Hence, GRS has already succeeded in placing Sabah on the right track through various plans introduced to ensure the State continues to progress and develop.
He urged Sabahans not to make the wrong choice on polling day and to vote only for GRS candidates in all constituencies where the coalition is contesting.
In his speech, Hajiji also said the Government is ready to consider the proposal raised by Dr Bonaventure to upgrade the Tamparuli sub-district to full district status once GRS is given a mandate in the 2025 State Election.
He noted that two sub-districts Paitan and Sook had been upgraded.
