SANDAKAN – The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah-Barisan Nasional (GRS-BN) pact in Sabah can contribute more than 15 seats to the federal government, said GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He said even though caretaker prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob hopes for Sabah to contribute 15 parliamentary seats, Hajiji was confident that GRS-BN could win more.
“I would like to state that maybe we can get more than 15 seats from GRS and BN,” he told the press today.
The Sabah chief minister said this after a meet-the-people session in Kg Bonggaya Baru, Batu Sapi, in support of GRS’ candidate from Bersatu in the Batu Sapi parliamentary seat, Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan.
Hajiji said the cooperation between GRS and BN was forged before the 2020 state election and was the best way for Sabah to move forward.
“This is the only way for us to develop Sabah and this cooperation must be translated into votes for GRS-BN candidates in the 15th general election,” he said.
He later said the GRS-BN Sabah government has a clear development direction through the Sabah Maju Jaya plan, while Warisan does not.
“Don’t be emotional in politics. The people have to be wise and vote for the development of this village. Vote for the GRS candidate, God willing, he (Khairul) will bring your problems to me and the federal government,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hajiji has been announcing “goodies” from the Sabah government in venues where he is seeking votes for GRS-BN candidates.
Last night in Tawau, Hajiji announced that a bill to pave the way for the formation of the Sabah Energy Commission will be tabled at the state assembly in April.
He said this will bring Sabah a step closer to establishing the commission, which will allow the state to have total control over the management of its energy resources, especially electricity.
“It is a part of the GRS-BN Sabah government’s demand in relation to Sabah’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963,” he said.
Hajiji said this when he was in SJK (C) Kung Ming in Tawau to support GRS’ candidate for the Tawau parliamentary seat, Lo Su Fui from Parti Bersatu Sabah, and BN’s candidate for the Kalabakan parliamentary seat, Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy.
He also announced several projects would commence here next year, including the construction of Jalan Utara Tawau and the RM400 million Cintamata Water Treatment Plant, as well as the construction of a Tawau International Cultural Centre.
Today in Batu Sapi, Hajiji announced that monies have been allocated to fix the bridges in Kg Bonggaya Baru, and to pave the road heading to the village.
“I came in here and I saw the road. I said, we must pave this road. This is not only for the general election but as Sabah chief minister, it is my responsibility to help the people.
“I cannot just close my eyes seeing the hardship faced by the villagers here,” he said, adding that the allocation for the projects has been approved and will commence by early next year at the latest.
Hajiji also said he was aware of the water and electricity supply problems at villages in Batu Sapi and vowed to solve them soon. – The Vibes, November 16, 2022
