TAWAU: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) President Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor is seen as the most qualified candidate to lead the State Government in a new era after the 17th State Election (PRN17).
Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) Information Chief Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan was commenting on the potential Chief Minister candidates being openly floated by rival party camps ahead of the polls.
Among the names mentioned are former Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (Warisan), former Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (Umno/Barisan Nasional) and former Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Wetrom Bahanda (Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat).
Perikatan Nasional (PN) is also expected to announce its candidate, with former Federal Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Datuk Dr Ronald Kiandee the likely choice. Kiandee already declared he favours someone from PAS to be the nation’s next Prime Minister.
Nizam said Hajiji’s leadership remains relevant and makes him the strongest candidate to continue serving the people of Sabah.
“If we look at his excellent track record since becoming Chief Minister in 2020, with a clear roadmap and measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), he is the best choice.
“Based on findings presented in recent briefings, 94 per cent of the State Government’s KPI targets have already been achieved and implemented,” he said.
He said anyone put forward as a Chief Minister candidate must have a proven track record backed by facts and achievements, not mere rhetoric and the people must be able to see and feel the impact of initiatives already carried out.
The Apas Assemblyman described Hajiji’s leadership style as one of quiet strength – speaking less but working hard – a quality that sets him apart from the rest.
“Under Hajiji’s leadership, political stability has been restored, and it is crucial to maintain the cooperation between GRS and Pakatan Harapan (PH) in order to form the next government,” he said.
