CHIEF Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor took aim at his predecessor Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal in Tambunan yesterdays and warned Sabahans not to “repeat past mistakes” in the ballot box.
Sabah is due for an election this year.
The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah chairman drew contrast with his administration to Shafie’s time as chief minister and as Rural and Regional Development Minister.
He said his initiatives have “demonstrated a proven track record” in bringing development to Sabah and its people throughout his five-year term.
“I want to ask Shafie Apdal what he has done in two and a half years as Chief Minister, and during his nearly seven years as Rural Development Minister,” Hajiji said when speaking at the Yayasan Sabah with the People Roadshow (YSBR) 2025 in his hometown of Tambunan.
The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman spoke among others about the agricultural policies and a RM31 billion Singapore-backed industrial investment and also expanded welfare programmes.
“We have achieved many successes, and we have built up the state’s economy based on the three economic thrusts - agricultural, industrial and tourism.
“In agriculture, we have revived the Sabah Padi and Rice Board and aiming to boost the state’s food self-sufficiency level to 60% by 2030,” he said.
Hajiji also pressed the case for Sabah’s politics to remain in the hands of local parties, noting GRS is made up of eight state-based components.
“The sentiment is strong for local parties to lead Sabah’s politics. We must not waste this golden opportunity,” said Hajiji.
Hajiji was also upbeat that GRS will be given a fresh mandate in the upcoming state election due to rising sentiment of Sabahans supporting local parties.
GRS comprises Sabah Star, PBS, Gagasan Rakyat, SAPP, USNO, LDP and Parti Cinta Sabah.
“These eight local parties are our hope in the impending state election.
“We must not waste this golden opportunity because the sentiment on the ground is so strong for local parties to lead Sabah’s politics,” he said.
GRS has officially formed an electoral pact with Pakatan Harapan in facing the coming state polls. - August 29, 2025
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