Hajiji Denies Putrajaya Controls Grs

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SABAH POLLS | Caretaker chief minister Hajiji Noor has dismissed suggestions that Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) was in any way under the thumb of Putrajaya.
He described the notion as a political narrative crafted to undermine GRS and its alliance with Pakatan Harapan during the ongoing Sabah election campaign.
“I think this is not true. Actually, sometimes, with the PM, I’ve made it very clear to him in meetings that my priorities are for the sake of the interest of Sabah.
“What’s important is that we must have a good relationship with the federal government. For the sake of Sabah,” he told reporters at a meet-the-people session in Kiulu on Monday.
Hajiji said Sabah could not afford to distance itself from national policymaking, stressing that a good relationship was needed with Putrajaya, as they are the central government.
“If we want to develop Sabah, we must have a good relationship with the federal government.
“So, why don’t we work together?” Hajiji said, adding that the claim that GRS was controlled by Putrajaya was “just a political scheme” to weaken the alliance.
The GRS administration in Sabah is jointly run with Harapan, and the coalition has formed an electoral pact with Harapan, which is led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
‘Not to control’
At a recent event in Kota Kinabalu, Anwar made it clear that Harapan’s intention was not to control Sabah or take the chief minister position, but simply to help establish strong and effective governance in the state.

Earlier, Hajiji did not mince his words when criticising his political rival, Warisan president Shafie Apdal, accusing him of overstating his influence and failing to deliver as a leader.
He said Shafie continued to “talk big” despite what he described as a weak track record in federal office and in Semporna.
“Every time he goes on the stage, he praises himself… He talks like he is the hero of everything,” he said.
Warisan chief Shafie ApdalHajiji said Shafie’s seven years as rural and regional development minister did not translate into meaningful improvements for the state either.
“When he became the minister, what did he do?… Did he provide electricity and water for the people of Sabah? Nothing.”
He added that Shafie could not even resolve issues in his own constituency.
“Semporna is still full of rubbish. Even Semporna cannot be managed well; it’s the worst in the country,” he said, referring to Shafie’s long-held federal seat. - Mkini

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