Local parties must lead Sabah politics, says Hajiji
He said the current state government, led by Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and formed by local parties, must be maintained.
"We want to preserve this government, and that is why I believe the coming election is extremely important. We must not choose the wrong path. Local parties must dominate Sabah politics and be given priority.
"Cooperation is a different matter, but as a local party, it is crucial that we defend GRS in line with the sentiment on the ground, where the people want local parties to lead the government.
"As GRS chairman, I will ensure this," he said during his opening speech at the 2025 USNO (United Sabah National Organisation) General Congress held at Seri Dungkuan Hall in Kampung Rampayan Laut, here.
Hajiji said he would not easily hand over the rights and struggle of GRS to those seeking to undermine the coalition.
He urged all leaders and members of GRS component parties, including Usno, to go to the ground and explain GRS's mission, which is rooted in the philosophies of Rumah Kita, Kita Jaga (We Protect Our Own Home) and Sabah First.
Other component parties under GRS include Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, Parti Bersatu Sabah, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku Sabah, Sabah Progressive Party, Parti Cinta Sabah, Liberal Demokratik Sabah, and Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah.
"This is the essence of our struggle in GRS. When we say Rumah Kita, Kita Jaga, the meaning is clear. There's no need to explain it point by point, it's simple.
"We take care of our house, and we do not quarrel. If we fight, others benefit, and we lose. So don't fight. What matters is that we win the election, so we can continue our struggle, help the people, and develop our state," he said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
41 minutes ago
- The Star
Any electoral pact must be led by Sabahans, says Masidi at Gagasan Rakyat's AGM
KOTA KINABALU: Any electoral alliance for the upcoming state election must be led by Sabahans, says Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun. Speaking on the second day of Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat)'s annual general meeting on Saturday (July 26), the party's deputy president stressed that any electoral cooperation must not be steered by outside forces, as the priority should be to safeguard the interests and welfare of Sabahans. 'We want allies on our own terms. We don't want to be dictated to by others,' he said in his address at the opening of the party's Youth, Wanita and Beliawanis annual assembly in Kota Kinabalu on Saturday. His speech, delivered at the launch of the party's three wings, is seen as setting the tone for the dominant party position on electoral pacts for the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. Echoing the party's slogan 'Rumah Kita, Kita Jaga,' the Masidi, who is also GRS secretary-general, said development in Sabah should be based on local priorities. 'We want Sabah to progress according to its own development model, not because someone else tells us to do it one way or another. That's not acceptable to us. We want Sabahans to take charge,' he told more than 1,000 delegates from the party's wings. He pushed on the importance of local leadership in realising Sabahans' aspirations, warning against ceding control to external players. 'What will happen to all the Sabahans? What will happen to our local aspirations, the very foundation of Sabah? Can Sabahans still call the shots? We must fight for ourselves,' he said, urging Sabahans to stay in control of their future. 'We want to remain Sabahans with our own mindset. That's why we focus on local parties, to liberate our thinking. Sabah First," he said. Masidi said Sabah's progress had been hindered by excessive politicking, with the state having gone through 16 chief ministers since gaining independence through Malaysia in 1963, compared to only six in Sarawak, which enjoyed greater political stability. 'Our problem is there's too much ego among leaders. Everyone wants to win, everyone wants to lead, but few want to do the actual work,' he said, adding that the zero-sum game mindset, where the winner takes all, makes unity difficult to achieve.
Borneo Post
2 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Masidi: ‘Sabah Tanah Airku' embodies spirit of Sabah's political struggle
Masidi, Gagasan Rakyat leaders, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) component members leaders and the delegates after the opening ceremony today. KOTA KINABALU (July 26): Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) deputy president Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun has called on Sabahans to take inspiration from the state anthem 'Sabah Tanah Airku,' describing it as the soul of Sabah's political identity and the guiding force for its future. Speaking at the opening of Gagasan Rakyat's Women, Youth, and Beliawanis joint annual convention here today, Masidi pushed back against persistent accusations of betrayal directed at Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) leaders, saying that the final judgment belongs to the people. 'I will never betray the people of Sabah. I understand the hopes and aspirations of our people. What matters most is not what others say about us, but whether the rakyat believe we deserve to carry forward Sabah's mandate. And I believe we do,' he stressed. Masidi pointed out that the message behind Sabah Tanah Airku, sung at every official function, encapsulates the very values GRS upholds: unity, pride, and relentless commitment to progress. 'The entire spirit of our political life, our love for Sabah, our dream for development, our hope for unity, is captured in that one song. When we say 'Sabah First,' it is not merely a slogan. It is the essence of who we are, and it comes directly from the mandate embedded in our anthem,' Masidi said. He stressed that 'Sabah Maju Jaya' slogan frequently criticized by political opponents, is not a partisan catchphrase but a continuation of the aspirations laid out in the state anthem. 'When someone mocks or belittles 'Sabah Maju Jaya', what they are really doing is belittling their own state. They are mocking their own state anthem. Sabah Maju Jaya was not created by GRS. It is actually a part of our inherited history, and we must uphold it as the foundation of our effort and struggle. 'We want to always be independent, not just physically free, but mentally free. Free to think and determine what is best for Sabah. We do not want our thinking to be influenced by outside elements that make us lose our Sabahan identity. We want to remain Sabahans, with thoughts that are our own. 'And that is why we focus on local parties, because we want Sabah to develop based on its own model of progress. Not because someone else wants us to do this or that. Yes, we want to be friends with others, but we will make friends on our own terms, not on terms dictated by others. This is our struggle,' he stressed. He also took aim at detractors who offer constant criticism without solutions, pointing out, 'People can talk, people can criticize. But there are those who are good at criticizing yet say very little about what their plans are to solve problems. 'I understand there is criticism every day, in the newspapers, in the State Assembly. That is true. But for me, it has reached a point where: 'What you say is your problem, not my problem.' 'Let's focus on what truly matters. We have a track record. What do the critics have to show for themselves? We are not here to silence criticism—we are here to deliver results. Let our work speak for us.' With the state gearing up for the next election, he warned of the consequences of losing local control and GRS' achievements must be defended. 'That is why we must win this election. Because we want Sabah to progress, because we love Sabah, and we want these achievements to be multiplied in the future. We are not merely defending GRS' achievement, we are defending the future of our people, especially the younger generation. 'If we lose this government, others will take over. And if that happens, what will become of Sabah in 10 years? Will our youth still have a place? Will Sabahans still be in charge of Sabah?' he questioned. 'We are not just defending GRS' track record. We are defending the future of our people—especially our young ones. Sabah's future is too important to be handed away,' he said. In a passionate conclusion, Masidi urged unity and focus. 'Let go of petty quarrels. Don't let small conflicts become walls that block big dreams. This is not about individual ambition. This is about ensuring Sabahans remain masters in their own homeland,' he said. 'You are the master. You own Sabah. Not someone else. We, the people of Sabah, must determine our future. No one else,' said Masidi. Gagasan Rakyat lead masidi manjun Sabah state election Sabah Tanah Airku
Daily Express
3 hours ago
- Daily Express
Find out strength in Lumadan first, Amanah told
Published on: Saturday, July 26, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jul 26, 2025 By: Iskandar Dzulkifli Text Size: Kota Kinabalu: Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) is advised to re-evaluate its intention to contest the Lumadan state seat in the upcoming election by considering the strength of grassroots support in the area. Lumadan Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) Division Chief Mazlan Joehari Manan (pic) said any move to contest should be made with due regard to the local political reality. He said the Lumadan seat, currently held by Datuk Ruslan Muharam of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition, remains strongly backed by grassroots supporters. 'We welcome Amanah's interest as a Pakatan Harapan (PH) component to serve in Lumadan, but they must first gauge their grassroots strength before declaring their intention to contest. 'The seat is currently held by Ruslan, who has strong grassroots support. Therefore, this momentum of support for GRS must continue without interference that may threaten this potential,' Mazlan said in a statement on Wednesday. Amanah President Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu recently stated the party's intention to contest the Lumadan, Tanjung Aru and Sulabayan seats in the 17th State Election (PRN17). Amanah is part pf the Pakatan Harapan coalition which has a political arrangement with GRS in the unity government. Mohamad reportedly said discussions are still ongoing, but negotiations involving two other undisclosed seats under PH and Barisan Nasional (BN) have already been finalised. Mazlan, who is also Special Officer to the Chief Minister, stressed that preserving the GRS-PH government's stability requires any contesting efforts to be done through consultation and mutual understanding. 'As a component of GRS, I will continue to support and defend the Lumadan seat to remain under GRS in the coming State Election. It is only right, as the Lumadan seat belongs to GRS, and the candidate for PRN17 should rightfully come from GRS,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
