CHIEF Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor hopes a power grab by State leaders like the attempted coup earlier this year will not recur for the sake of Sabah’s progress and prosperity.
Referring to the Kinabalu Move attempt to topple his administration in January, Hajiji said the episode was difficult to forget and one of the black spots in Sabah’s political history.He recalled that the atmosphere at that time was critical and the State Government was almost paralysed and disqualified.
“The people became anxious. They were worried that there would be another state election.“It is a situation that shouldn’t have happened as it will give the perception of political instability,” he said during the first annual meeting of Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), Kota Kinabalu, on Nov 13.
“However, thanks to the support of our friends who were originally from the opposition, namely Pakatan Harapan Sabah, the GRS government was saved and continues to hold the reins of government.
“Thank you to my friends from PH, including some members of the State Assembly (ADUN) from Barisan Nasional (BN)/Umno who continue to support the GRS Government, thus making the State Government today known as GRS-PH Plus Government,” he said.
Hajiji, who is also Gagasan Rakyat President, said the Kinabalu Move incident should be shared to remind of “true friends” in politics.“The event allows us to know who is friend and foe and, more importantly, to recognise the heart of true friends,” he said.
Hajiji said the act of wanting to overthrow a democratic government chosen by the people arbitrarily and in such a way was “shameful and unethical.
”Stressing the importance of Gagasan Rakyat to be strengthened as the only foundation of the struggle, he described the party as “our house” that needs to be taken care of together.
“Our house, we are the master. In our house, we decide the menu and the recipe. We take care of our house,” he said.Hajiji also reminded party members to work hard to face the next state election which can be held at any time.
“Even though we still have two years, who knows the possibility of early elections,” he said.
He said the party leadership at all levels must continue to be strengthened and not be complacent but continue to work for the party, the people and the State.
Hajiji said over the past three years, the GRS-PH Plus Government has introduced various new initiatives to help all levels of the people while continuing and improving existing initiatives.
He took several examples in the field of education, welfare, housing and defending the fate of women.
Also present were former Chief Ministers Tan Sri Musa Aman, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee and Tan Sri Osu Sukam; as well as Sabah PH Chairwoman Datuk Christina Liew, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) President Datuk Arthur Kurup and Sabah PAS Commissioner Dr Aliakbar Gulasan.
— Ends