[UPDATED] Finally, our own home: Hajiji lauds Gagasan Rakyat’s official launch  

KOTA KINABALU – Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor and his fellow former Sabah Bersatu members finally have their own “home” as Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) officially launched today.

“This is a historic moment for all of us. After going through various challenges and obstacles, and bittersweet moments, we finally have our own home.

“This party is our home. We are the masters. We will take care of our home the best we can,” he said during the party’s launching ceremony at Sabah International Convention Centre here this morning.  

Hajiji said it is time to be realistic and hold on to the concept of “real politics”, not to be swayed by political idealism, but to remain focused on serving the people.  

“After seeing the political situation in recent years, it is clear that loyalty to the idealism of a political party is conditional, but loyalty to the people’s aspiration is mandatory.  

“When a party’s direction is against the people’s aspirations, we have no choice but to side with the people,” he said.  

Hajiji said that after studying the narrative on the ground and reflecting on the positions of former Sabah Bersatu leaders, he found that working in a local party is the right choice.  

He said that politicians must know how to adapt to changes according to what the people want, and Sabahans want the state to be governed by local parties – not a single party, but a coalition of local parties.  

“If we don’t change, we will fall. We must be sensitive to the people’s sentiments,” he said.

He added that with the launch of the party, all talks of the Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition not being a local pact – despite running the state – should end.

“Last time we had Bersatu in GRS, and many people talked,” he said.

GRS now comprises Gagasan Rakyat, Sabah Star, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and United Sabah National Organisation (Usno). 

Last January, the *GRS* chairman announced taking over Gagasan Rakyat, an existing local party in Sabah. 

Last January, the GRS chairman announced his takeover of Gagasan Rakyat, an existing local party in Sabah.  

This is after he quit Bersatu with other Sabah Bersatu assemblymen in December last year, as GRS supports the unity government, while Bersatu does not.  

Meanwhile, Hajiji admitted that many parties will criticise his move to take over a local party after he quit Sabah Bersatu, even as he continues to chair GRS and maintain his position as the chief minister. 

“Let them criticise. Don’t argue with them. Time will prove that our consensus (muafakat) will produce results for the development in Sabah,” he said.  

Hajiji described Gagasan Rakyat as a platform for “solidarity for the voices of Sabahans”, making GRS 100% based on Sabah parties and Sabah’s voice louder, stronger, and more effective with the federal government.  

“We are strong when we are united. We will be respected if we are strong and united,” he added. – The Vibes, March 2, 2023

Additional reporting by Jason Santos