Latest news with #PanglimaHajijiNoor


Borneo Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Hajiji hints at post-July polls announcement
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor holds a vote for GRS sign when officiating the 2025 Gagasan Rakyat Sulaman Division Annual Conference at Dewan Seri Sulaman, Tuaran, on Sunday. TUARAN (June 15): Amid ongoing speculation that the 17th state election may happen at the end of July or early August, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor said there is no rush to set a date for dissolving the State Legislative Assembly. However, he hinted that an announcement could be made after the Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) General Assembly scheduled for the end of July. 'Not yet, we will have our general assembly meeting at the end of July first,' he told reporters after officiating the Gagasan Rakyat Sulaman division's annual conference at Dewan Seri Sulaman here on Sunday. The Gagasan Rakyat President and Sulaman Division chief was responding to questions from reporters about the possibility of the state assembly being dissolved at the end of July to make way for the 17th Sabah State Election. Meanwhile, Hajiji, who is also Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman, stressed that the ruling coalition is ready to face any party in the 17th state election. He said while this was GRS's stance, but any decision on the form of political cooperation for the upcoming state election must be made by the coalition's Supreme Council. 'GRS is ready to face anyone in the upcoming election. That is our position, but any form of cooperation must be decided by the GRS Supreme Council,' he said. He also expressed his support for the views of GRS Deputy Secretary-General Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, who agreed that GRS should face off against Barisan Nasional (BN) in the upcoming state election. 'I support his opinion, but we have yet to make a final decision. This doesn't come from me, it's BN that has said they are not interested. We shouldn't force anyone if they're not keen,' he said. Armizan had said he personally agreed with Umno Sabah chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin that GRS and BN should go head-to-head in the state election. Meanwhile, Hajiji said the Gagasan Rakyat Annual General Assembly this time around is important, as it is being held ahead of the upcoming state election. 'My reminder and advice to all Gagasan Rakyat and GRS members is for them to remain united. Close ranks, strengthen the party machinery, and prepare for the election that is just around the corner,' he said. Earlier, in his speech, Hajiji reminded Gagasan Rakyat and GRS leaders and members to learn from the current political situation and to counter the falsehoods being spread by the opposition on social media. 'We must be wise in distinguishing between slander and lies, and what the government is actually doing. Never fall for the slander and lies spread by the opposition. 'Let the opposition spread slander, but we in Gagasan Rakyat must stand together with our allies in GRS Plus especially here in Sulaman,' he said. He also elaborated on GRS's position for the upcoming 17th state election particularly in regard to its potential allies for the polls. 'Many people have asked me about our situation, who our allies are, and where we will be contesting. While no final decision has been made yet, as I will need to discuss it with the GRS component parties. We are currently more comfortable with the existing arrangement in government, which is GRS-PH Plus. 'This is the sentiment among the people on the ground right now. Our rakyat want this. Many other parties speak arrogantly and boast outside, but I bring this matter to GRS. I do not make decisions on my own. that's my principle. Let the GRS Supreme Council decide the direction we take in the coming election,' he said. On the Sulaman state seat he has held since 1990, Hajiji expressed confidence that it can continue to be retained under GRS in the upcoming state election. He also hoped that the three other state seats in the Tuaran parliamentary constituency Pantai Dalit, Tamparuli and Kiulu, would also remain under GRS.


Borneo Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Local parties must lead Sabah's politics - Hajiji
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor, who is also GRS chairman, accompanied by USNO President Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, is welcomed by USNO members upon arrival at Dewan Terbuka, Seri Dungkuan, Kampung Rampayan Laut, Kota Belud on Sunday. KOTA BELUD (June 15): Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor has emphasised that local parties must remain dominant in Sabah's political landscape and be prioritised when forming alliances for the upcoming 17th State Election (PRN17). He said the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS)-led government, which was established by local parties, must be preserved, making the upcoming election especially crucial for the coalition. 'We want to continue this government, and that is why I believe this election is extremely important. We must not make the wrong choice. Local parties must be dominant in Sabah's politics and must be prioritised. 'As for political cooperation, that's another matter. But GRS, as a local coalition, is vital for us to defend, in line with grassroots sentiment that wants local parties to lead the government,' said Hajiji who is GRS chairman. 'As chairman of GRS, I will ensure this happens,' he said when officiating United Sabah National Organisation (USNO) general congress at Dewan Terbuka Seri Dungkuan, Kampung Rampayan Laut, near here on Sunday. Hajiji said he would not easily surrender GRS's rights and struggle to those attempting to undermine the coalition. As such, he expressed hope that all leaders and members of GRS component parties, including USNO, would go to the ground and explain to the people the essence of GRS's struggle, which upholds the philosophies of 'Rumah Kita, Kita Jaga' and 'Sabah First.' 'This is the mission of our struggle in GRS. When we say 'Rumah Kita, Kita Jaga', people should understand there's no need to explain every detail, it's simple. 'We must protect our home and avoid internal conflicts. If we fight, others will benefit, and we will lose. So, don't quarrel. What's important is that we win the election so we can continue this struggle, help the people, and develop our state,' he said. Hajiji emphasised that USNO and other component parties within GRS hold equally important roles within the coalition. 'Therefore, I hope USNO, along with its entire leadership and supporters, will unite and give their full effort to ensure GRS wins in the upcoming election. 'That's why USNO's participation in GRS is extremely important. Not only USNO, but all component parties in GRS play a crucial role in strengthening the coalition, especially with the election just around the corner. 'USNO must channel its energy together with GRS so that we can regain the people's mandate. When we formed GRS, we invited the current component parties to join us in defending Sabah's rights. 'Our intention is sincere and noble, as Sabahans, we must defend our rights as Sabahans. We must be united,' he said. He added that if only one party were to carry the struggle alone, it would not be able to shoulder such a major task. For that reason, GRS needs all its partners to fulfil the same responsibility, regardless of the party's size. 'We want to champion the plight of our people who are still left behind and in need of support. We want to uplift the standard of living for those still struggling. 'We want to boost infrastructure and economic development in Sabah which is why, in my view, GRS, as the current government, must be given the mandate once again to govern Sabah after the election,' he said. In his speech, Hajiji also expressed appreciation for USNO's commitment to GRS, reflected in its slogan 'USNO dan GRS berpisah tiada' as declared by its president, Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia.


The Star
07-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
GRS intensifies preparations for 17th Sabah state polls
KOTA KINABALU: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) has intensified its preparations for the 17th state election (PRN17), with comprehensive training sessions for its machinery conducted across all constituencies and state assembly areas. GRS chairman Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor, who is also GRS chairman, said the coalition's election machinery is now fully activated, with grassroots-level training playing a key role in ensuring readiness. 'GRS is clearly prepared. We have set up our election machinery and carried out multiple training sessions to ensure every constituency is ready for the upcoming election,' he said. Speaking at the 2025 Ibadah Qurban Programme at the Tuaran district police headquarters on Saturday (June 7), Hajiji noted that discussions on seat allocations have yet to be held. He also confirmed that he had met with Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi before Ramadan to discuss potential political cooperation. 'We had a discussion before Ramadan (around February), but no final decision was made. 'Any decision on possible cooperation must be referred to the GRS supreme council before we move forward,' he said. In conjunction with the Aidiladha celebration, Hajiji expressed hope that the occasion would encourage a deeper sense of unity and sacrifice among Malaysians, especially Muslims. 'Aidiladha is not just about the ritual of animal sacrifice, it also teaches us values like cooperation, tolerance, and willingness to make sacrifices for the greater good. 'This means prioritising unity and working together for a better future for Sabah's diverse communities,' he said. Earlier in the day, Hajiji joined around 1,000 worshippers for Aidiladha prayers at Masjid Haji Noor in Kampung Serusop. He was accompanied by state Rural Development Minister Datuk Jahid Jahim, state Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, Tuaran MP Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau, and Pantai Dalit assemblyman Datuk Jasnih Daya. Together, they symbolically handed over sacrificial cattle to Tuaran OCPD Supt Noraidin Ag Maidin.


Borneo Post
05-06-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
GRS to discuss election preparation soon - Hajiji
Hajiji and guests inspecting the sacrificial cows handed over to recipients at the Bajau Samah Cultural Centre in Kampung Lok Batik, Tuaran on Thursday. TUARAN (June 5): The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Supreme Council will be meeting soon to chart their direction for the 17th state election (PRN17), said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor. Hajiji said the meeting would discuss on potential partners, seat allocations and other relevant matters. He disclosed this after handing over a contribution of 200 cows for the Hari Raya Aidiladha sacrificial rites at the Sabah Bajau Samah Cultural Centre in Kampung Lok Batik on Thursday. The distribution of the cows was made to representatives of mosques and suraus within the Tuaran parliamentary constituency, as well as to non-governmental organisations (NGOs), state and district agencies. When asked to comment on the recent statement by Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin that Umno Sabah would only consider cooperation with GRS after the PRN17, Hajiji, who is also GRS chairman, responded that it was Bung's personal view. 'GRS has not made any decisions yet,' he said. Hajiji said the act of qurban (sacrifice) was not only a symbol of obedience to Allah SWT, but also a powerful way to strengthen unity and compassion within the Muslim community. 'The ibadah qurban carries a profound message in fostering unity and mutual support among Muslims. Hari Raya Aidiladha is not merely a celebration, but a time to reflect on the values of sacrifice, sincerity and social concern,' he said. Also present at the event were Minister of Rural Development Datuk Jahid Jahim, Pantai Dalit assemblyman Datuk Jasnih Daya and senior officials from both state and federal departments.


Borneo Post
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Respecting differences key to stronger unity, says Hajiji
Hajiji KOTA KINABALU (May 29): Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor has urged the people of Sabah to continue embracing and respecting their differences in order to foster a stronger bond of unity across the state. He said unity would grow deeper and more resilient if the people remained united in purpose. 'As such, I call on all Sabahans to stand with the government as partners in strengthening unity and preserving political stability, which are crucial for the well-being of the people and the smooth progress of our beloved state's development,' he said in his 2025 Kaamatan Festival message today. Hajiji said the annual Kaamatan celebration in May not only serves as a platform to strengthen camaraderie and unity among the multiracial and multi-religious communities, but also to express gratitude for a bountiful harvest. 'More importantly, Kaamatan reflects the harmony and goodwill that exist among the people of Sabah, values that resonate with the Malaysia MADANI aspiration, which emphasises humanity, mutual respect and togetherness,' he added. This year's celebration carries the theme 'Kaamatan Untuk Semua, Kaamatan For All, Kaamatan Montok Toinsanan', a message Hajiji described as deeply meaningful and inclusive. 'This theme clearly underscores that Kaamatan is not the celebration of a single community, but a festival for all people regardless of race, religion or background,' he said.