Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor has firmly denied allegations that the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government has targeted officers or CEOs of state agencies appointed during the previous Warisan administration.
Reflecting on his tenure, Hajiji noted that upon assuming the chief minister’s role nearly five years ago, he personally met with these officers to assure them of their continued roles under his administration. “I made it clear they could serve without fear of reprisal,” he said, as quoted by Sabah Media.
He contrasted this approach with that of Warisan, which, during its two-and-a-half-year tenure, sidelined numerous officers perceived as non-aligned with the party. “When Warisan assumed power, their focus was not on the people’s welfare but on marginalizing and pressuring those who did not share their political alignment,” Hajiji stated.
Addressing ongoing challenges, Hajiji attributed Sabah’s water supply issues to Warisan’s decision to terminate contracts with eight water concession companies. This move, he explained, led to a hefty RM315 million compensation payout following legal action by the affected companies. Despite this setback, the GRS government is actively addressing the crisis by upgrading water treatment facilities.
Hajiji also highlighted delays in the Pan Borneo Highway project, which he said stalled for over four years after Warisan terminated the consulting company’s contract. He criticized Warisan’s governance, asserting that it failed to deliver meaningful progress during its time in power and is now unfairly blaming the current administration for Sabah’s challenges.
Looking ahead to the upcoming state election, Hajiji urged Sabahans to seize the opportunity to support the GRS-Pakatan Harapan coalition. “This is a pivotal moment. The GRS government has worked tirelessly to uplift the poor, support students, and bolster the economy and industries. Why turn away from progress?” he asked.
“I call on the people to place their trust in GRS candidates across the state. With their support, I am confident we will form the government again after the election,” he added with conviction.
