KIULU: Caretaker Chief Minister and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor Monday questioned Parti Warisan counterpart Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal on his track record as Rural Development Minister under the Najib administration.
“Did he build any rural roads that Sabahans can be proud of? Provide rural electricity supply throughout Sabah? Rural water supply for Sabahans? None,” he said, after a meet-the-people session at Dewan Terbuka Kiulu, Monday.
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He was responding to Shafie’s claim that as Federal Minister holding that portfolio and entrusted with allocations amounting to billions of ringgit, he brought development to Sabah.
On the Warisan posters proclaiming “Save Sabah”, Hajiji said he cannot agree more that “we have to save Sabah from illegal immigrants (Pati) entering the State.
“We want to save Sabah from external threats, including from neighbouring countries that still have claims over Sabah,” he said.
He is believed to have been referring to the decision of the then Warisan government to respond to a claim on Sabah by so-called Sulu heirs that resulted in the federal government unnecessarily spending millions of ringgit fighting the case in courts in Spain, France and the Netherlands.
“In truth, they are using this slogan to save themselves. They clearly failed in their struggle or during their time governing Sabah. What did they achieve in those two and a half years? Nothing,” said Hajiji.
Hajiji also said the proposal to limit the Chief Minister’s tenure to two terms, as set out in the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah manifesto, is the best step to ensure that the State administration remains transparent and maintains integrity.
“We agree that a Chief Minister should serve only two terms…for us, that is the best. There’s no need to stay too long,” he said.
Warisan’s manifesto makes no mention of term limits for the Chief Minister’s post, in contrast to GRS’ clear position, which was announced earlier.
Besides GRS, Barisan Nasional (BN) also pledged to introduce a two-term limit for the post if given the mandate in the 17th State Election.
Hajiji, who is defending the Sulaman seat for a record eighth term, criticised the opposition who are against the State Government maintaining good relations with the Federal Government.
He said such views are politically misguided and should not be embraced by the people if they aspired development for Sabah and wanted to belong to the Malaysian family.
“Political stability requires cooperation and the support of the people. For political stability, we must work together with the Federal Government.
“There are people questioning, ‘Why not go solo?’ (as a purely local Sabah coalition). We must remember the political history and journey of Sabah.
“We are part of Malaysia, and we must have close cooperation with the Federal Government,” he said.
Hajiji said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would visit Tuaran on Thursday, as part of efforts to strengthen relations between the Federal and Sabah Governments.
“I have spoken to him (Anwar). The main purpose is not just campaigning, but to show Malaysians and the people of Sabah that the Federal Government support the Sabah Government led by GRS.
“What is the point of quarrelling? This is our country. We must take care of our State and at the same time we also take care of our country. We cannot safeguard only the State while neglecting the nation.
“That is not acceptable. We must look after both. This is our country Malaysia,” he said.
“What matters is that we remain dominant. The local party GRS leads the Sabah Government,” he said.
He said nobody can deny it was GRS that brought political stability to Sabah since taking over from Warisan in 2020.
“GRS as the dominant party will ensure political stability in Sabah (after the election),” he said, adding that only with political stability and solid cooperation with the Federal Government can the State see more development and a prosperous Sabah.
“We need the people’s support and GRS must be returned in this election to ensure political stability in Sabah.
“We must have strong cooperation with Federal too. But it does not mean we are giving in to them. During our meetings, I have always been steadfast and firm in maintaining our stand in demanding for Sabah’s rights.
“It will be a loss for the State if GRS could not continue its Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya development plan.”
Hajiji was also confident that GRS candidate for Kiulu Datuk Joniston Bangkuai would be returned as assemblyman in view of his service to his constituents.
