SANDAKAN – Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor lost his cool with Warisan’s persistent claims that the Sabah ruling coalition, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) PH plus, is a failed government.
Speaking to Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) members, Hajiji lambasted Warisan president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal for “peddling lies” to undermine the state ruling parties and his leadership.
Hajiji asserted that Shafie has been disseminating slanderous accusations without acknowledging the contributions of GRS-PH plus to Sabah.
Speaking at the Gagasan Rakyat mini carnival event at Alamesra, Kota Kinabalu, today, Hajiji emphasised that GRS has been a successful government, bringing positive changes to Sabah through various programs and developmental initiatives.
“He (Shafie) told people here and there that this government (GRS-PH plus) has failed. Failed what? The ones who failed are Shafie and Warisan! I did not see what he had done in Sabah for two and a half years (Warisan governed).
“That was why Warisan and Shafie were rejected! We cannot lie to the people.”
Hajiji challenged Shafie to account for Warisan’s actions during their governance and questioned the total investment brought into Sabah at that time.
He highlighted GRS’s achievements in filling the Sabah Oil and Gas Industrial Park and the nearing full capacity of the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park.
Hajiji credited these accomplishments to the confidence investors have in the current government.
Addressing accusations of being a failed government on social media, Hajiji expressed confidence in the people’s ability to judge the situation. He criticized Warisan leaders, particularly Shafie, for distorting facts and engaging in political storytelling.
“I saw on social media (Warisan) accused GRS of being a failed government, but I am confident that our people know the situation and they know how to judge. The ones who speak are Warisan leaders, they have been good at twisting facts from a long time ago,” he said.
While acknowledging existing challenges such as water supply issues inherited from past governments, Hajiji assured that his administration is determined to address these problems.
He mentioned plans for a new oil and gas industrial park in Kimanis and a new industrial park between Kota Belud, Kota Marudu, or Kudat, aiming to create jobs and benefit the people.
“These are all for the people; we bring in investors to create jobs, and I focus on the Rakyat. Thousands of jobs can be created through these investments. This is what we do, we don’t peddle political stories.
“Now that we are near the election, they all slam people like they are angels; I have been slammed day and night,” he said. – March 9, 2024