TAMBUNAN: Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor, the leader of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), has been applauded for his focus on putting Sabah’s interests ahead of political self-interest.
The strategy fits well within the coalition’s four main principles, which are Sabah First, Sabah United, Sabah Forward, and Sabah Prosper.
PGRS Tambunan Coordinator Dato’ Victor P Paut said these four principles must also be demonstrated through leadership examples and real actions for the people’s benefit.
At the same time, he said, these principles must be carried out consistently from the highest leadership level down to the grassroots – starting from top to bottom. Leaders must set the example first before members at the division, district, and branch levels follow.
“Sabah First means prioritizing the state and people’s interests, Sabah United emphasizes unity, Sabah Forward brings a progress agenda, while Sabah Prosper ensures prosperity is enjoyed by all people.
“These principles must be applied from top to bottom, not bottom to top. This means starting with leadership first before the members, because the top sets the example for the grassroots. That is why I welcome YAB (Hajiji’s) position on this,” he said in a statement today.
Hajiji, in his speech at the GRS Convention in Kudat last Sunday, stressed that GRS must prioritize Sabah’s interests and coalition unity over party or individual interests. This ensures the state’s political strength remains protected.
He said Sabah’s strength to have stronger bargaining power at the federal level must start with unity within GRS itself, not be overshadowed by conflict, power struggles, and political ego.
In a related development, Hajiji previously announced that GRS is targeting at least 16 of the 26 parliamentary seats in Sabah and the Federal Territory of Labuan for the upcoming 16th General Election (GE16).
Victor, who also serves as Deputy Chairman of the Kinabalu Palm Oil Group and Borneo Samudera, expressed hope that the Keningau parliamentary seat would be included in the targeted 16 seats that GRS aims to contest, thereby creating opportunities for more strategic renewal and development in the area.
He stated that the aspiration to make Keningau part of GRS’s target should also be viewed within the context of efforts to strengthen Sabah’s development, particularly in interior regions that possess significant potential for continued growth.
This is because, he noted, Keningau has considerable potential for advancement; however, it requires a more comprehensive development approach to stimulate the local economy and improve residents’ welfare.
“GRS can win the Keningau parliamentary seat, and this confidence is not merely optimism but is also backed by sustained grassroots efforts over an extended period that have now demonstrated results.
“Keningau requires more strategic renewal and development because its progress remains stagnant, whereas this area possesses substantial potential for advancement,” he added.
The Keningau parliamentary seat is currently represented by the President of Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR Sabah), Datuk Seri Dr. Jeffery Kitingan, who won it in the 2022 15th General Election but left GRS before the 17th State Election.
