He said GRS’s confidence of securing a simple majority in the coming state election stemmed from what the coalition viewed as tangible results delivered over the past five years.
“We have implemented various development initiatives in the past five years – assistance for the poor, support for our students, and increased scholarships. We even succeeded in securing agreements with Petronas.
“Previously, our reserves were nearly RM3 billion; now they exceed RM8 billion. We have also expanded aid for those in need, with nearly 100,000 people receiving RM300 a month as well as free housing.
“The opposition can say what they want. They once held posts in the state and federal governments. What did they do?” he said.
Hajiji expressed confidence yesterday that the coalition would be able to win more than 40 of the 73 seats up for grabs in the Sabah election.
Hajiji’s party, Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, is vying for 35 seats, followed by Parti Bersatu Sabah (11), Usno (two), and Parti Cinta Sabah and Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (one each).
The 55 seats being contested by the coalition include 40 which it had held before the dissolution of the 16th Sabah assembly last month. Winning 37 seats would give the party the simple majority needed to form the next state government.
Hajiji also urged voters not to be swayed by emotions, warning that a poor electoral choice would disrupt Sabah’s progress.
“Do not choose wrongly. If you choose wrongly, we will face problems. We are already on the right track to bring Sabah to greater success and progress in the future.
“I hope the people examine things carefully, not follow their emotions, and look at what the government has delivered,” he said.
Citing the example of Sabah’s water crisis, Hajiji said the issue was inherited from previous administrations which he claimed had saddled the state with financial obligations.
“They were terminating concessions. That’s the cause of the water woes. We now have to pay RM315 million in compensation. That RM315 million could have been used to build village roads and bridges,” he said.
Hajiji also dismissed recent corruption allegations and viral videos targeting his administration – a reference to the Sabah mining scandal – calling them politically motivated.
He criticised “outsiders” whom he accused of trying to interfere in Sabah politics.
The scandal involves allegations of corruption linked to the issuance of mineral prospecting licences to politically connected parties.
The state government has left it to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to conduct an independent and thorough investigation into the scandal.
MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki previously confirmed that the caretaker chief minister had been cleared of wrongdoing.