Party president Hajiji Noor called for reports to be sincere and honest. “At times, the reports we receive are not the same as the feedback I hear directly from party members at the grassroots level,” he said at the party’s annual conference in Kota Kinabalu.

“This is why I stress the importance of maintaining close and strong relationships between divisional leadership and the local community, so that we can truly understand and feel the pulse of the people,” he said, Bernama reported.

He said honest reporting would enable the party to take steps and improve conditions, particularly in reaching out to the people in those areas.

Hajiji said the party still has time to strengthen its efforts ahead of the state assembly elections expected next year. Securing a new mandate was vital to ensure the successful implementation of the state government’s Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development plan, said Hajiji, who is chief minister of the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah coalition government.

“We want to ensure that every grievance of the people is taken seriously and addressed through the SMJ framework,” he said.

“There is no longer room for delay or complacency with our current position and achievements. There is no space for us to boast about our positions and titles,” he added.