SEREMBAN – In a solid display of support and solidarity for the administration led by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Sabahans who are voting in the peninsula state polls have been urged to choose candidates from the unity government led by the prime minister who is also chairman of Pakatan Harapan (PH).
In asserting this, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is behind the prime minister and fully supports the unity government that he has led since the general election in November.
“It is crucial that Sabah voters, especially those voting in the coming six state elections in the peninsula, pick unity government candidates to maintain the country’s political dynamics for a better future,” he said when meeting Sabah voters at the Royal Chulan Hotel here last night.
Present were caretaker Negri Sembilan menteri besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, and Sabah State Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Phoong Jin Zhe.
Hajiji is helping the PH-Barisan Nasional (BN) alliance in their campaigns for the state elections in Penang, Negri Sembilan, Selangor, Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan.
Incidentally this morning, he and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg accompanied Anwar in supporting the PH-BN candidates at the Selayang nomination centre in Selangor.
The 14-day campaign period leads up to early voting on August 8 and the main polling day on August 12.
“GRS declares its full support to the unity government because it is the best platform for a multi-racial country like Malaysia to move forward,” he said.
Hajiji also urged the people to reject racial slurs and religious bigotry used by the opposition as their campaign materials to canvas for votes in the state elections.
“Such tactics are detrimental to a plural country like ours, which will never guarantee Malaysia’s future,” he said.
He said that stability, one of the important factors for the country to progress, can only be achieved when the people are united and not blinded by racism and bigotry.
Hajiji, who is also president of Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS), said the special rights of the Malays are protected under the federal constitution, but this still does not mean that the interests of other races in the country are ignored.
“The rights of the Malays, Bahasa Melayu as the official language, Islam as the official religion and the privilege of the Malay rulers are protected as enshrined in the federal constitution and must be respected. However, we cannot deny the rights of other races in Malaysia.
“We in Sabah have been a good example of unity in diversity and solidarity because despite differences in race and religion we have coexisted in harmony for so long regardless of political ideology, which is what the unity government is also promoting at the national level.
“Therefore, I call upon the people to support the unity government candidates in this state elections,” he said.
Among the GRS entourage at the event were deputy chairman Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, GRS vice-chairman Datuk Masiung Banah and information chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.
Also on hand were Kawang assemblyman Datuk Ghulam Haidar Khan Bahadar, Pantai Dalit assemblyman Datuk Jasnih Daya, Tempasuk assemblyman Arshad Bistari, Tawau MP Lo Su Fui and senator Datuk Bobbey Suan.
Hajiji also took time to meet up and speak with Sabahans residing in Negri Sembilan. – The Vibes, July 29, 2023
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