Hajiji urges GRS parties to put Sabah first, warns against ego and power struggles

KUDAT, October 18 — The chairman of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, urged all component parties to prioritize the interests of Sabah and the coalition over personal or individual pursuits to bolster the state's negotiating power at the federal level. Chief Minister of Sabah emphasized that the state's political leverage must be anchored in the internal cohesion of GRS, rather than undermined by power struggles or political egos.

"There is no point in praising the unity of others if we are still bickering within the GRS fold itself; for the true strength of Sabah begins with our own unity," Hajiji warned during his keynote address at the 2026 GRS Convention. He reminded that no party is too large to not need partners, nor too small to dismiss contributions.

The GRS chief also commended the grassroots members who sacrificed their time and resources during elections, cautioning leaders not to forget their contributions once in power. He pointed out that the departure of certain parties from the coalition should serve as a lesson for the decision-making process and the strengthening of GRS's foundational principles established in 2020.

Hajiji stressed that a local-based party alone is insufficient to earn voter confidence if the government fails to tackle daily challenges or create economic opportunities. He stressed that while winning speeches on stage is commendable, it does not guarantee winning the hearts of the people.