Latest news with #Hajiji Noor
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Hajiji confirms GRS and Pakatan to join forces in Sabah state election
KOTA KINABALU, July 27 — Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has confirmed that an electoral pact will be formed between GRS and Pakatan Harapan (PH) for the upcoming 17th Sabah State Election. The Chief Minister said the matter had been discussed among GRS component parties, and a consensus was reached to establish an electoral arrangement with PH. Hajiji, who is also Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) president, said the move reflects the ongoing cooperation between GRS and PH within the current state administration. 'Of course, we are ready, but (the electoral pact formula) is not yet finalised. There are still a few matters to iron out,' he told reporters after officiating the Gagasan Rakyat Annual General Meeting 2025 here today. Meanwhile, Sabah PH deputy chairman Datuk Mustapha Sakmud expressed his appreciation to the Chief Minister for upholding the spirit of cooperation between the two coalitions. 'I think it's good news for Sabah,' he said. Mustapha said the next step would involve negotiations on seat allocation and expressed hope that the process would be carried out fairly. Asked how many seats Sabah PH is eyeing in the upcoming state polls, Mustapha said the coalition is targeting between 23 and 25 seats, subject to the outcome of negotiations. The current five-year term of the 16th Sabah state assembly will expire automatically on Nov 11, paving the way for the 17th Sabah State Election. — Bernama
Malay Mail
6 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Fahmi: GRS-Pakatan talks ‘healthy and productive', unity key to stability in Sabah
PAPAR, July 23 — Pakatan Harapan (PH) communications director Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said seat negotiations between Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and PH ahead of the upcoming state election are progressing smoothly, with both coalitions aligned in their goal of ensuring continued political stability. Without going into detail, Fahmi described the ongoing talks between the federal coalition and Sabah's ruling bloc as 'very healthy and productive.' 'We all want political stability in Sabah, and I believe that is also the desire of both the prime minister and the chief minister,' he said, referring to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor respectively. Amanah vice-president Datuk Dzulkefly Ahmad added that unity remains the cornerstone of the coalition's strategy — not just for federal polls, but also at the state level. 'I'm one of those who firmly believe that the winning strategy is on our side. 'If we maintain unity, we can sustain political stability, ensure growth and prosperity, and respond to the people's demand for good governance,' he said. The GRS-led Sabah government under Hajiji has consistently expressed its preference to continue working with its national partners in PH, rather than contesting independently, citing political stability as a key factor. Hajiji has said the two coalitions will soon formalise their pact and announce the outcome of seat negotiations. Fahmi added that both sides recognise Sabahans' desire for continuity and progress, not political upheaval. 'The rakyat want stability, they want development, they want prosperity. That's why staying the course with a unity strategy is the best way to win — even in Sabah,' said Dzulkefly.
Free Malaysia Today
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
NGO lodges report against blog for allegedly defaming Sabah CM
Gerakan Kuasa Rakyat Malaysia chairman Zulkarnain Mahdar filed the report at the Sri Petaling police station today. KUALA LUMPUR : An NGO has lodged a police report against a blog for posting an article alleging Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor's involvement in the state's mining scandal. Gerakan Kuasa Rakyat Malaysia (G57) chairman Zulkarnain Mahdar claimed the article, titled 'The real scandal is not in the jet, but in Hajiji Noor's silence', posted on Malaysianspeaks, is defamatory and would create a negative perception of the chief minister. 'They are 'spinning' the narrative that Hajiji is involved in the Sabah mining scandal and that he directed Sabah Mineral Management CEO Natasha Sim to accept a bribe,' he told reporters after filing the report at the Sri Petaling police station here today. He claimed that the article was being used by state opposition parties, particularly Warisan and Sabah Umno, to smear Hajiji's reputation and weaken the state government. Zulkarnain urged the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to investigate the portal and the individuals involved. Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported Sabah Umno questioning whether Sim's alleged RM400,000 luxury trip on a private jet was approved by the board of directors of SMM, which is chaired by Hajiji. This comes after a photo went viral on social media, allegedly showing Sim, SMM company secretary Emily Chong, and Sabah timber tycoon Elbert Lim standing outside a private jet said to belong to an Indonesian coal tycoon.
Malay Mail
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Hajiji: GRS to stay with Pakatan for state polls, Sabah needs stability over solo ambitions
KOTA KINABALU, July 21 — Despite calls for the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) to contest on its own, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said that the coalition with remain in a formal pact with its national coalition partners Pakatan Harapan (PH) going into the election, with a broader strategy in mind. The Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah president said that political stability — not just electoral victory — is the priority for the state, but also stressed that GRS would be contesting most of the 73 state constituency seats. 'We will continue our cooperation in the current government — both the state government, GRS, and Pakatan Harapan,' he said when speaking to reporters here. 'We also want to listen to local aspirations. So we will make the best decision for Sabah because for us, political stability is very important. It's not just about winning the election. After the election, we must ensure stability. Only then can we plan and develop our state,' He said that he has had several discussions with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as chairman of PH and that they were reaching a decision on the seat negotiations soon. Hajiji, who is GRS chairman, has been in favour of staying with PH during the election but grassroot calls for the local coalition to contest on its own has been getting stronger, particularly after the Parti Bersatu Sabah and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku's joint convention two weekends ago. Chants of 'solo' reverberated during the convention, reflecting the desire from the ground for local parties to form the state government without relying on national parties. The calls come from along-standingg perception of Sabah being taken advantage of and beholden to the federal government or national parties. Another issue is that the federal government also comprises Umno, GRS's former state partners who had attempted a coup on Hajiji after what it claims was many broken promises and agreements and leading to a fallout between the two. A three day PGRS convention this weekend is expected to serve as a platform to prepare the party machinery for a possible snap state election. Earlier today, Hajiji presented scholarships to the best performing students in the state, noting that they have more than doubled the amount since it took over the government in 2020. 'From only RM50 million in 2020, the BKNS allocation has continued to increase year by year over the past five years, reaching RM136 million in 2025. 'This marks an increase of RM86 million from 2019, reflecting the State Government's commitment to supporting the education of Sabah's children,' he said.
Free Malaysia Today
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
GRS-PN alliance was always going to be a ‘tough sell', says analyst
An analyst said GRS chairman Hajiji Noor's long-held stance that Sabah must be led by state-based parties reflects strong grassroots sentiment for local autonomy. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : A pre-election alliance between Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) ahead of the next Sabah state election was always unlikely, analysts say, citing GRS's emphasis on local leadership and PAS's limited appeal in East Malaysia. Bilcher Bala of Universiti Malaysia Sabah said that even if the opposition coalition had sought cooperation, a PN-GRS alliance would have been a 'tough sell.' Last week, PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin said the coalition would not work with GRS in the state election, citing the 'betrayal' of several GRS leaders who left Bersatu in November 2022 following the 15th general election (GE15). Bilcher noted that GRS has since positioned itself as a coalition that champions Sabah's rights and identity. Bilcher Bala. He also said GRS chairman and Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor's long-held stance that Sabah must be led by state-based parties reflects strong grassroots sentiment for local autonomy. 'Hajiji has even warned that GRS is prepared to go solo if necessary. That alone suggests limited appetite for partnering with a peninsula-dominated coalition like PN,' said Bilcher. 'Based on current political dynamics, it would be unlikely for GRS to seek cooperation with PN, even if PN hadn't ruled it out.' He added that PAS's reputation in East Malaysia was another major hurdle, as the party's 'extreme religious rhetoric' and goal of turning Malaysia into an Islamic state had alienated many voters in Sabah and Sarawak. PAS leaders have acknowledged their lack of support in East Malaysia and proposed autonomy for their Sabah and Sarawak chapters, but Bilcher said the party would need to do much more to overcome its negative image. He also said Muhyiddin's 'betrayal' narrative has further strained relations between PN and GRS and signalled the deep mistrust the former prime minister held towards Sabah's ruling coalition. 'That kind of rhetoric doesn't just burn bridges—it bulldozes them. So, even if PN were to reverse its position, GRS would likely remain cautious,' he said. Ramli Dollah. Another analyst, Ramli Dollah, said key GRS partners such as STAR and PBS had long shown ideological incompatibility with religion-based parties such as PAS. Ramli noted that since PAS was a component of PN, any formal cooperation with PN would make it difficult for GRS to retain support from non-Muslim voters. 'This makes potential GRS-PN cooperation more complex, not only ideologically but also electorally,' he said. Ramli also pointed out that PN's status as the opposition bloc at the federal level was another stumbling block in any potential alliance with GRS, adding that a GRS-PN partnership could jeopardise its current working relationship with Pakatan Harapan (PH) at the federal level. 'Sabah's political culture has long leaned towards cooperating with the ruling federal government to ensure continued development and access to resources,' he said. 'Therefore, if any cooperation is to occur, it is more likely to happen between GRS and PH.' The unity government secretariat previously announced that PH and Barisan Nasional (BN) would join forces for the Sabah polls, prompting Hajiji to state that GRS was prepared to go solo if PH teamed up with BN. However, PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim later called for the PH-BN alliance to work with GRS. Talks between the three coalitions are said to be ongoing.
