Hajiji dispels rumours of fallout with Bung and other GRS leaders

KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has dispelled talk that relations have soured between him and Sabah Umno chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin as well as other Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) leaders.

“I will state it clearly, as Datuk Bung is here, that we have never fought (with each other).

“There has never been a misunderstanding despite what other people are saying about us,” he said when closing the GRS Backbenchers Club retreat at a golf resort in northern Sabah’s Kudat district here on Saturday (Feb 5) night.

“As a matter of fact, my relationship with Datuk Bung (and for that matter with) Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili (Parti Bersatu Sabah president) and Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan (Sabah Star president) is very cordial and cannot be any stronger,” he said to applause from the floor, comprising GRS assemblymen and other leaders.

“Even though we are from different parties, we hold steadfast to the GRS pledge. With this, I hope there will be no more talk that Hajiji is not on good terms with Bung or Dr Max and Dr Jeffrey,” he said.

Hajiji, who is chairman of the 10-party GRS coalition, said he had always been in contact with Bung.

“We have less than four years before it is time for elections so what we need to do is to work hard to bring progress to the people and Sabah,” he said.

Hajiji, who is also Sabah Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chairman, said he understood that he would not be the chief minister without the support of GRS parties.

He also said there was no need for GRS parties to squabble for seats.

“If a party is strong in a particular area then it will be given the seat,” he said.

On the Bugaya state by-election, Hajiji said the matter of candidacy would be discussed among the GRS leaders to find an amicable solution once the emergency order on the by-election was lifted.

On the issue of formalising and registering the GRS alliance, he said he has no qualms if the matter was agreed upon by all the components in the GRS.

“If this is what everyone wished for then I will make the effort to see to it that GRS will be registered officially,” he said.

Hajiji also believed that by registering GRS as an official alliance it would further bolster the relationship and unity of its components.

Currently, GRS was a loose coalition between Perikatan Nasional (Bersatu Sabah, Sabah Star, Sabah Progressive Party, PAS and Gerakan), Barisan Nasional (Umno, PBRS, MIC and MCA) and Parti Bersatu Sabah.

Earlier, Hajiji said GRS, comprising Umno, Star, PBS and Bersatu won the state elections and combining the strength of three Independents brought the total to 41 out of the 73 seats to topple Warisan Plus (Warisan, Upko PKR, Amanah and DAP) which won 32 seats.

After forming the state government, GRS obtained an additional six seats via the appointment of six nominated assemblymen and subsequently five Opposition assemblymen joined GRS bringing the total seats tally to 52 in the 78-seat house.