KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s push for local agendas at the national level is set to be strengthened with the launch of Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, says Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
The Chief Minister, who recently took over the helm of Gagasan Rakyat after quitting Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia last December, said Gagasan Rakyat is a local party that fits the current state political requirements.
He said it has been a vision of many, ranging from himself to grassroots leaders and supporters, as well as former Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, that Sabah is led by a “truly local” party and coalition.
“Today, with our grand launching of Gagasan Rakyat in the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah coalition, we can say that we achieved this vision and we are now truly a local entity,” Hajiji said when launching Gagasan Rakyat Sabah and its new party logo here yesterday.
He said with this development, Sabah is now stronger and can defend its rights better.
With a mix of multiracial parties under one roof, Hajiji hoped that the overall state agenda could be further pushed, including speeding up the implementation of remaining rights and areas under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) that have yet to be addressed.
He said the purpose of politics and politicians is to work for the people and to ensure that development is carried out.
Meeting the crowd: Hajiji (centre) gesturing during the official launch of GRS and its new party logo in Kota Kinabalu.
He said loyalty and priorities of politicians ultimately belong to the people and not to other things.
Hajiji said leaders must have the flexibility and intuitiveness to read sentiments among the grassroots and must be alert to current narratives.
“If we don’t change, we will fall. If we are not sensitive to the message of change, we will be brought down by the people,” he said.
Having changed parties twice after becoming Chief Minister, he said it was inevitable that his latest decision in politics would attract criticism.
“But I am used to being criticised, so I chose to keep quiet and not respond. I also tell my supporters not to respond,” Hajiji said, adding that time will prove to naysayers that every decision made was worth it and would benefit the people of Sabah in the end.
He said in pushing to address local concerns, it is also important that the state work closely with the Federal Government if it wants to see results from all the hard work put in.
Hajiji said the presence of national parties is still relevant and would continue to be the case in this country.
“What matters most is that we as leaders take care of our own state and mould it as we see fit, and for national leaders to acknowledge this while prioritising our needs for our state as well,” he added.
GRS now consists of Parti Bersatu Sabah, Gagasan Rakyat, Sabah STAR, Sabah Progressive Party and Usno.
