TUARAN: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor reiterated his stance on the importance of strong relations between the State and Federal Governments in determining the future of Sabah.
He said many benefits can be gained by the people and the state when there is good cooperation between Sabah and the Federal Government, especially under the Madani administration led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Hajiji also spoke about the involvement of the State Government—represented by him—in discussions with the Indonesian government, an initiative by the Prime Minister, who recently brought him and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg to Jakarta.
“This is a national matter, but it concerns Sabah and the Kalimantan border issue, so the Prime Minister invited us to express our stance to President Prabowo.
“This has never happened before. This is not directly our affair; it is a foreign matter. So, we were pleased to be brought along on a jet with the Prime Minister to Jakarta.
“The Prime Minister asked me to speak to Prabowo, and I did, and the outcome was good. This is the result of having a good relationship with the Federal Government, and it must be maintained,” he said.
He said this during the Temu Rapat Pimpinan Masyarakat Tempatan dan Sahabat Usahawan Tuaran with the Prime Minister at the Sabah Bajausama Cultural Centre in Lok Batik.
For that reason, Hajiji said the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS)–Pakatan Harapan (PH) government that previously governed the state must be maintained in the 17th Sabah General Election this Saturday.
“The others just know how to talk and always want to quarrel with the Federal Government. What is the point of quarrelling? We must also safeguard the nation’s interests.
“Don’t think only about state rights but then undermine our country in the process. In Sabah, there are all sorts of things—even 14 candidates contesting a single seat. That’s how unique Sabah is.
“There are those who cannot win but still become candidates. I am not insulting or belittling anyone, but I want to remind people not to choose those who were already given a chance to govern Sabah before—those are the ones who actually failed,” he said.
“Choose a government that can bring progress and development to the people and to Sabah.
“Do not choose a government that was already given a chance by the people of Sabah for two and a half years but failed to govern the state,” he added.
Hajiji, who is defending the Sulaman seat, assured that the four seats contested by GRS in Tuaran—Sulaman, Pantai Dalit, Tamparuli, and Kiulu—can be won by the coalition in this week’s polls. – Wu Vuide
