By FCBH
KOTA KINABALU: Daily Express columnist Datuk Teddy Chin did not overstate when he recently wrote that Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor’s charm and simplicity made him popular, trusted and acceptable to the people.
And, I am powerless to disagree with that.
I was awestruck by his friendliness, simplicity and humility – a cornerstone of effective leadership – when I first met him face-to-face at his residence some two years ago.
The Chief Minister was uncannily approachable and down to earth. His aura of confidence makes him a natural leader.
I remember vividly he mentioned that if Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) were to win the upcoming state election, he wished to only continue for just one more term as Chief Minister.
This was never known publicly until just recently.
“I do want to be perceived as someone who is power crazy. But I must first accomplish what I have set out to do for Sabah and its people”.
Brimming with zest and unshakeable confidence, he pointed out without hesitation that his ultimate goals were to bring Sabah to greater heights and to make sure the people’s wellbeing was well taken care of before “I call it a day”.
At this juncture, curiosity got the better of me and I asked the Chief Minister who he thought would be his potential successor.
Two “big names” were mentioned but I won’t reveal them.
This man, the Sulaman YB, who has been active in politics for decades, is the “real deal”. Hajiji walked the talk and hit the ground running as soon as he assumed Sabah’s most powerful post half a decade ago.
Under his charge, a number of impactful initiatives including the meticulously conceived Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) roadmap were implemented to ensure economic growth and stability.
The SMJ roadmap which “saw the light of day” in 2021 was Hajiji’s brainchild.
The Rural Agricultural Economic Revolution (RAER) too had been launched. It focuses on transforming idle rural land into productive agricultural zones, boosting output and reducing dependence on food imports.
The GRS-led state government has also launched the RM4 billion 187MW Ulu Padas Hydroelectric Project (UPHEP) in Tenom to bring about long-term water and electricity availability.
This project is expected to be completed by end of 2030.
YES, the people of Sabah are in a safe pair of hands under Hajiji’s leadership.
He understands that political stability is crucial for progress and the people’s economic wellbeing, and that his administration must care and work for all and sundry.
I think the opposition cannot control their envy over the successes of the government under Hajiji’s direction and will not stop at taking wild potshots at him and his administration especially over water and electricity issues.
Politicians who pride themselves as capable leaders are “a dime a dozen”.
But, Hajiji is a cut above them. He is not only politically savvy, wise and insightful but more importantly, a Chief Minister who truly priorities the people’s welbeing.
He is not someone who likes to hog the limelight but behind the scene, he is always in the thick of things.
It was a wonderful meet-up that night and three years on I still cherish it at every waking moment.
What I can deduce from that few hours of chit-chat is that he is genuinely a caring leader who will give his all for the betterment of Sabah and its people.
The combination of power and humility is a good mix. And, I wish to say that no leaders from both sides of the political divide can “hold a candle” to Hajiji.
The opposition parties had recently expressed confidence of winning the the 17th state election and of course that’s their right.
But, then again, get your heads out of the clouds and pay attention to the present reality.
Almost five good years of strong GDP (gross domestic growth) and increasing state revenues. Beat that!.
And today, the state government’s reserves stand at over RM8 billion and domestic and foreign investments brought into the state since 2021 amount to RM35.38 billion. –
