SABAH Chief Minister Hajiji Noor defended his administration’s record while blaming the previous Warisan-led state government of mismanagement that left Sabah grappling with legacy issues.
Hajiji said Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) had delivered economic recovery despite inheriting severe challenges made worse during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Despite the odds, he said the state had successfully raised the annual revenue to almost RM7 billion this year, compared to about RM4 billion previously, crediting growth in industry, tourism and agriculture.
“Alhamdulillah, we have been able to restore the economy. This shows the government is working for the people,” he said at a groundbreaking ceremony for a RM62 million water supply project on Pulau Banggi, in Kudat.
Hajiji later announced additional initiatives on the island, including a RM6 million multipurpose hall and a RM1 million Bonggi cultural hall, while considering upgrading it from a sub-district to a full district.
At a dinner on mainland Kudat the same day, Hajiji denied claims GRS had sidelined Warisan-era appointees and accused the opposition of removing and pressuring officials during its own two years in office.
“When they took over, they cut down, bore grudges and pressured people. In almost five years as chief minister, I have never mistreated anyone, even if they were appointed by Warisan,” he said.
He also again linked current water supply disruptions to Warisan’s decision in 2018 to terminate eight concession contracts for 58 treatment plants, a move that led to lawsuits and a RM315 million compensation payout.
GRS, he said, was now investing RM300 million in plant upgrades and RM380 million to double the capacity of Papar’s Kogopon facility, with further allocations to Tawau and other districts.
On infrastructure, he blamed Pan Borneo Highway delays on Warisan, saying the project had been held back more than four years after the previous government halted the original consultant arrangement.
Towards this end, he urged voters to keep GRS and its ally Pakatan Harapan in power at the coming state election.
“Don’t waste this opportunity. If the government helps the poor, the students, lifts the economy and develops industry, why should it be rejected?” he said.
Water supply falls under state jurisdiction, meaning the 2018 termination was fully made by the state government at the time.
Warisan’s defence is that while the termination caused immediate costs (RM315m payout, lawsuits), it was a necessary reform to save billions, cut crony contracts, and restore public trust after the water corruption scandal.
However, The Pan Borneo Highway is federally funded, and its Project Delivery Partner model was scrapped in 2019 by the federal finance and works ministries under the then Pakatan Harapan government, with Warisan’s endorsement. - August 23, 2025
