KOTA KINABALU: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is aiming for a clean sweep of all state seats in the Tawau and Kalabakan parliamentary constituencies in the upcoming 17th State Election.
Its chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has called on voters in the region to fully support the coalition, stressing that strong representation is crucial for effective governance and development.
"In the next state election, the people must vote for GRS because, over the past four years, we have achieved much more compared to the previous administration," he said during a Chinese New Year celebration with Anak Merotai, organised by Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (Harapan Rakyat) on Sunday (Feb 16).
Tawau and Kalabakan comprise seven state seats: Balung, Apas and Sri Tanjong in Tawau, while Kalabakan includes Kukusan, Tanjong Batu, Merotai and Sebatik.
Of these, four are currently held by GRS (Balung, Apas, Kukusan, and Sebatik), while the Opposition Parti Warisan controls Sri Tanjong and Merotai, and Barisan Nasional, through Umno, holds the Tanjong Batu seat.
Hajiji stressed that GRS, in collaboration with Pakatan Harapan Plus, has mapped out a comprehensive development agenda for Sabah, including Tawau and Kalabakan, aimed at improving the well-being of the people.
He contrasted this with the previous administration, which he claimed lacked clear direction and spread misinformation.
The Chief Minister also urged voters in Merotai and other areas within Tawau and Kalabakan to rally behind GRS candidates to ensure continuity in state governance.
"We have a grand agenda for Sabah and a clear direction. I do not want Merotai to be left behind again. Merotai must be represented by a government lawmaker. We must win and develop Merotai," he stressed.
Expressing confidence that GRS will retain power after the state election, which is due this year, Hajiji assured that ongoing infrastructure projects, including efforts to resolve Tawau’s long-standing water supply issues, are progressing as planned.
"I guarantee that the water supply issue will be resolved this year. We have the funds, and the water treatment plant will be upgraded and repaired," he said.
The event was attended by several key figures, including Harapan Rakyat president Tan Sri Liew Yun Fah, Sabah State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong, Tawau MP Datuk Lo Su Fui, Kalabakan MP Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy, as well as Kukusan and Balung assemblymen Datuk Rina Jainal and Datuk Hamild Awang.
As the state election approaches, Hajiji’s call for unity within GRS signals the coalition’s intent to strengthen its hold on Sabah’s political landscape, particularly in key battlegrounds like Tawau and Kalabakan.
