KOTA KINABALU: Stating that the Sabah election will not be a free-for-all contest, Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor however does not rule out minor friendly contest in some seats.
The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman said while seat arrangements are more or less finalised, there is a possibility some seats would see clashes even among partners, including between GRS and Pakatan Harapan.
“That is fine. A little clash is acceptable,” said the caretaker chief minister when asked about the GRS-Pakatan seat arrangements.
“But it will not be a free-for-all contest. We are still working with Pakatan,” he said after presenting appointment letters to 42 individuals taking part in the SMJ Fellowship 4.0 programme.
Hajiji said the candidate list would be announced closer to nomination day, either on Nov 11 or Nov 12.
He urged those who are still lobbying for seats and candidacy to stop and leave the decision to their party presidents or to him as the GRS chairman.
He said there were individuals who were dissatisfied for not being selected as candidates and decided to leave the party, adding that instead of doing so, they should have prioritised the party’s interests.
“We should not sulk or quit the party simply because we are not chosen as candidates. I hope other parties will think first before they take these people in,” he added.
Hajiji also said GRS will launch its manifesto a few days after the Nov 15 nomination day.
Meanwhile, in his speech, Hajii wants the fellowship programme to shape people-oriented young leaders who can directly contribute to the state’s development.
He said the programme has paved the way for Sabah youths to grow and play a role in the state’s development ecosystem.
“The SMJ fellowship programme is an important platform not only to build experience but also to develop character, integrity and exemplary leadership qualities,” he said.
The programme, he said, is in line with the state’s commitment under the Sabah Maju Jaya Development Plan framework, which places human capital development as the core driver in building a sustainable and competitive future for the state.
“We do not only want to produce leaders who excel in knowledge and skills, more importantly, we want to develop people-oriented leaders who understand the heartbeat of the community, who bring the people’s voices to the policymaking table, and uphold their love for the state above self-interest,” he said.
