The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman said political stability was crucial for Sabah to progress in peace and prosperity, adding that it would be impossible if political leaders were constantly at each other’s throats.
Hajiji, who is chief minister, pointed out that he had until October next year to announce the dissolution of the state assembly to pave the way for the 17th state election. The election must take place within 60 days after the dissolution.
“This means that we can call for the state elections anytime, whether it is before or only when our term in the state legislative assembly ends (next October),” he said in his opening speech at Gagasan Rakyat’s general assembly today.
He said the looming state polls demanded that all in Gagasan Rakyat strengthened the cooperation with other component parties, to ensure that GRS would be chosen by the people at the ballot boxes.
“Political stability will not be a reality if the rakyat are dragged into conflicts and spats among political leaders, which would ultimately lead to prolonged disputes.
“If such conflicts and spats are allowed to prolong, and are not handled wisely, it will lead to division. Division is a weakness that will drag us toward failure.”
Hajiji also ordered Gagasan Rakyat’s political bureaus at the division levels to defend the party and the GRS-Pakatan Harapan state government from all forms of accusations, lies and slander.
He said both the party and state administration faced greater challenges ahead, which meant that they needed to work all the more harder.
“Let’s defend Gagasan Rakyat. Let’s defend GRS. And let’s defend the current state government.
“If we move as one team in the name of ‘Sabah First’, then God-willing we will be able to push back against anyone trying to belittle our agenda to develop Sabah,” he said.
Also at the assembly were Sabah PH chief Christina Liew, Upko president Ewon Benedick and state PKR chief Mustapha Sakmud.
The heads of GRS components were also present, namely acting Parti Bersatu Sabah president Joachim Gunsalam, Sabah Progressive Party president Yong Teck Lee, Parti Cinta Sabah president Anifah Aman and United Sabah National Organisation president Pandikar Amin Mulia.