KOTA KINABALU: With preparations for Sabah’s 17th state election now in full swing, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor stressed the importance of forming a strong coalition to ensure continued stability of the state.
Hajiji, who leads the eight-party Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), confirmed that discussions on seat distribution among coalition parties would take place soon, with focus on securing a unified front ahead of the polls.
As leader of the current ruling coalition that includes GRS and Pakatan Harapan Plus, Hajiji confirmed that the state’s ruling parties would decide on future alliances before the election.
“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 the Sabah Energy Corporation’s (SEC) Hari Raya Open House on Tuesday.
The ‘Plus’ bloc, which includes key figures such as Deputy Chief Minister and Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, is a crucial part of the current coalition.
Shahelmey, the Tanjung Keramat assemblyman and Putatan MP, secured his seats under the Barisan Nasional ticket in the 2020 state election and the 2022 general election, respectively.
However, he was suspended from Umno in January 2023 after opposing the party’s decision to withdraw from GRS.
“We must form a strong coalition to ensure we maintain the stability of the state,” said Hajiji as he reiterated that GRS remains open to any political cooperation that benefits Sabah.
Hajiji, however, was coy about the actual election date, telling reporters that the matter has yet to “appear in his dream”.
In earlier reports, Sabah Speaker Datuk Seri Kadzim Yahya noted that the five-year term of the Sabah State Assembly would expire on Nov 12.
The term began with the first sitting following the 16th state election on Sept 29, 2020, and the subsequent opening of the assembly by then Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin.
“As such, the five-year term technically ends on Nov 11 this year.
“This should be the cut off date,” Kadzim said.
There has been some confusion regarding the automatic dissolution of the current 79-member state assembly, with speculation that Hajiji may opt to go full-term.
Pundits are expecting polls to be called in July, following the month-long Kaamatan celebrations in May and the official birthday of Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Musa Aman on June 21.
