KOTA KINABALU: Assistant Minister to the Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan has rejected claims that Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor is pleading for sympathy to remain in power.
He said Hajiji’s remarks reflect a realistic approach to governance and the need for continuity.
Nizam responded after Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin criticised Hajiji for appealing for public support if the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) plan was truly successful.
"Bung's statement is baseless and intended to mislead the people. The Chief Minister of Sabah is not 'pleading for sympathy' as alleged; instead, he is being transparent and realistic in ensuring the continuity of Sabah's development," he said in a statement.
Bung Moktar’s comments followed Hajiji’s recent statement, where Hajiji said he hoped his government would get another chance to lead, stating there was still much to do to develop Sabah and improve people’s lives.
However, Nizam refuted the claim that Hajiji was seeking sympathy, emphasising his leadership's significant achievements and the importance of continued stability for further progress.
"The facts clearly show that under Hajiji’s leadership and the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) roadmap, Sabah has recorded various proud achievements.
"Last year, Sabah received investments of RM11.34bil, including major projects that will create more job opportunities for the local population," he said.
Nizam, who is also the Apas assemblyman, noted that the state’s revenue increased significantly, reaching RM6.9bil in 2023, proving the government’s ability to manage the economy effectively.
"The energy and infrastructure sectors have also received serious attention, with the implementation of a hybrid solar project with a capacity of 199MW, the construction of a hydroelectric power plant in Ulu Padas, and the development of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with a capacity of 100MW in Lahad Datu to ensure all areas in Sabah receive a more stable electricity supply," he said.
He said that these continuous efforts show the state government is not merely making promises but genuinely bringing significant changes to Sabah.
"Development and progress in the state are not something that can be achieved in one term; they require continuity and political stability to achieve greater success. This is what he emphasised—that the people's mandate is the key to ensuring all the plans that have begun can be implemented more effectively.
"What Sabah needs now is not baseless polemics, but stability and continuity in leadership that has proven to be successful," he said.
