Hajiji with party leaders at the Gagasan Rakyat Special General Assembly at SICC today.
KOTA KINABALU: Political challenges faced since 2020 have strengthened the fighting spirit of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), said its Chairman Datuk Seri Haji Hajiji Haji Noor.
He stressed that unity remains key to Sabah’s political strength.
He said the coalition was formed based on the people’s aspiration for Sabah to determine its own direction without relying on external political influence, while defending the state’s interests with confidence and dignity.
“This was why GRS was established, and from that struggle emerged Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah as the main pillar to ensure Sabah’s political foundation remains strong, stable and centred on the people,” he said in his keynote address at the Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) Special General Assembly at Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here today.
Hajiji, who is also Chief Minister and Gagasan Rakyat President, said political developments in the state showed that unity is often tested, especially when elections approach and personal interests come into play.
He noted that such experiences have provided important lessons in shaping the coalition’s future direction, particularly in maintaining political stability.
“In the past, those who spoke about unity and local strength were also the ones who chose different paths when tested. Some left, some went solo, and some abandoned the struggle when positions did not favour them.
“We respect their decisions, but the people can judge who is truly committed to Sabah,” he said.
Hajiji stressed that true political struggle is measured by the ability to set aside personal interests for collective strength and stability.
“If we want Sabah to be strong, that strength cannot come from division or competing egos. Every challenge must make us stronger, more mature and more united,” he said.
He also reminded leaders not to be overly focused on rhetoric about who is more local or more vocal, noting that the people are more concerned with jobs, economic growth, opportunities and a stable government.
“That is the real measure of politics. If we forget this, we may win in speeches but lose the people’s trust,” he said.
Hajiji added that the GRS Government, despite inheriting economic and political challenges during the pandemic, chose to focus on governance reforms, stability and long-term development under the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) framework.
