GABUNGAN Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Chairman and caretaker Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has declared his confidence that the coalition will secure a clear and comfortable victory in the 17th Sabah state election (PRN17), predicting more than 40 of the 55 seats it is contesting.
Speaking after launching the Rumah Kita, Kita Jaga GRS campaign at Dataran Bagandang on Wednesday, Hajiji said the coalition’s optimism extended beyond the Lumadan and Klias constituencies, where GRS is seen as holding strong footing.
“We are very confident that we can defend this government. More than 37, a simple majority, Insya-Allah. We are contesting 55 seats and we believe we can win more than 40,” he said.
Hajiji, who also heads Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, was responding to questions on whether the coalition’s perceived advantage in Lumadan and Klias contributed to his bullish outlook.
He also revealed that financial assistance continues to be made available to Sabahans living outside the state who return home to vote, with allocations channelled through individual constituencies.
“Each state seat has provisions for out-of-state voters, especially those travelling long distances to vote. We have made allocations for them. There is even assistance for flights,” he said when asked about incentives previously provided, including to young voters ahead of polling day on 29 November.
During his earlier speech, Hajiji highlighted ongoing government support for students, including travel subsidies during festive periods.
“Starting this year, I am also providing assistance to our children studying in Sabah’s higher education institutions who wish to return home during Hari Raya, Ramadan or Christmas, whether they are in public or private institutions. We are giving RM300 to each student,” he said.
He recounted receiving a message from a student in northern Sabah requesting help to return home, which cost only around RM50 in travel fare.
“It made me realise how many people still struggle. That is when we introduced and approved the assistance. All of them are given RM300, whether they are from Sandakan, Tawau, Keningau, Sindumin or anywhere else in Sabah while studying in Kota Kinabalu. That is the GRS government,” he said.
Hajiji added that the large turnout at the event appeared to reflect strong grassroots support for GRS candidates, expressing confidence that both Lumadan candidate Datuk Ruslan Muharam and Klias candidate Datuk Isnin Aliasnih would prevail on polling day.
Also present were GRS Women’s Chief Datuk Seri Azizah Mohd Dun and Sipitang MP Datuk Matbali Musah. - November 19, 2025
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