KOTA KINABALU: With preparations for Sabah's 17th State Election in full swing, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor says it is important to form a strong coalition to ensure continued stability.
Hajiji, who leads the eight-party Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), confirmed that seat talks among coalition parties will be held soon, with a focus on presenting a united front going into the polls.
“As the state government, it is our responsibility to determine which parties we wish to collaborate with for the upcoming election,” he said after attending Sabah Energy Corporation's Hari Raya open house on Tuesday (April 22).
Hajiji stressed that GRS remains open to any political cooperation that would benefit Sabah and foster long-term political cohesion in the state.
However, he has kept the planned election date under wraps, telling reporters he has yet to “dream about it".
Speaker Datuk Seri Kadzim Yahya had said earlier that the state assembly's current five-year term will end on Nov 11.
There has been speculation that Hajiji may opt to see the assembly's term through.
After earlier speculation that he would call for the polls this month after Hari Raya, political circles now feel the polls could be called in July.
This would follow the month-long Kaamatan celebrations in May and the official birthday of Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Musa Aman on June 21.
