Hajiji S Strategic Moves Reshape Sabah S Politics In 2024 A Year Of Political And Infrastructure Transformation

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The year 2024 marked a pivotal moment for Sabah’s political landscape, as Chief Minister Hajiji Noor‘s strategic moves not only reshaped the state’s governance but also significantly influenced national politics.
His decisions throughout the year demonstrated his seasoned political acumen and highlighted Sabah’s growing importance on the national stage.
In 2023, Hajiji took a bold step by realigning with the Pakatan Harapan (PH) to form a new government in Sabah – the GRS-PH government.
This political realignment set the stage for transformative changes in both Sabah’s internal governance and its role in national politics. The move cemented Hajiji’s position as a key player in the state and national political arenas.
Sabah’s Crucial Role in the 2022 General Elections GE15
Sabah emerged as a critical battleground in the 2022 Parliamentary elections. There was an electoral pact between GRS and BN, and both were working in terms of seat-sharing and campaigning. The GRS-BN alliance secured an impressive 13 out of 25 parliamentary seats.
The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Barisan Nasional (BN) each played an integral role in this success. Specifically, the GRS secured 6 seats, BN bagged 7, while Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sabah won 5, and Warisan secured 3 seats, 1 seat was won by Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM), and one seat won by Perikatan Nasional (PN) in Beluran, and two independent candidates also won 2 seats.
Despite the PH coalition falling short of a majority for the 222 seats in the lower house, the Dewan Rakyat, with 82 seats, 30 short from the halfway mark of 112 seats, Hajiji’s GRS became a key ally in the formation of the Anwar Ibrahim-led Madani government at Putrajaya. Anwar cannot disown the numbers. As a result, Hajiji solidified his influence on both state and national politics, strengthening his political stature.
Then in January 2023, Bung Moktar, who initially led Sabah Umno to form the state government with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) in 2020, attempted to topple the same state government of which he was a part of, led by GRS chairman Hajiji Noor. However, the move failed after Sabah Pakatan Harapan and Sabah Umno renegade assemblymen backed Hajiji. Following the failed coup attempt known widely as the “Kinabalu Move”, Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin was removed as state deputy chief minister and state public works minister.
The coup that Sabah Umno lost along with many other blunders saw Sabah Umno split into two groups, one pro-Shafie Apdal and another, pro-Hajiji. As per current reading of party leaders, it’s clear that the split within Sabah Umno stemmed from Bung’s failed attempt with Warisan to unseat Hajiji as the chief minister.
Hajiji is far too astute a politician not to realise what the situation demands of him and contrary to the general opinion about him, he has on more than one occasion shown the uncanny ability to evolve and reinvent himself as per the need of the times. The impact of Hajiji’s political maneuvering is reflected in the Malaysia Budget 2025, which emphasized the development needs of Sabah.
Prime Minister cum Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim allocated substantial funds for the state’s infrastructure development, RM6.6 billion was allocated to Sabah. The Special Interim Grants for Sabah also increased to RM300 million, A significant cost of RM74 billion for the 320-km Phase 2 of the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road Project under the Pan Borneo Highway project, will be implemented by the end of this year, designed to boost the state’s connectivity and economic growth. The tender process for the remaining 19 work packages for the Sabah portion of the Pan Borneo Highway at a cost of RM15.7 billion will be completed in November.
Additionally, Sabah’s perennial flood challenges received attention, Sungai Likas in Sabah have been included as among 33 projects nationwide that will cost RM11.8 billion dedicated to flood management and mitigation efforts. In total, a transformative RM20 billion plus in financial package was committed to Sabah’s growth, highlighting Hajiji’s growing political leverage.
The “Double Engine Government” Model: Strengthening Sabah’s Governance
Under the GRS and PH alliance, Sabah experienced political stability, which was essential for smoother governance and policy implementation.
Folks in Sabah and Sarawak will continue to enjoy the community drumming programme (for subsidised fuel and basic food items for rural areas) for which RM225 million has been allocated.
The indigenous people of Sabah will also enjoy part of the RM330 million financing facilities available from Tekun, the National Entrepreneurial Group Economic Fund.
The federal government has prepared RM1.9 billion to upgrade and maintain schools nationwide. RM930 million of the fund will go towards upgrading 450 dilapidated schools, of which 155 is in Sabah.
The collaboration between the state and the federal government under the “Sabah Maju Jaya” development plan facilitated significant infrastructural and economic advancements throughout the state.
Hajiji’s enhanced role in the federal government amplified his influence, aligning Sabah’s priorities with those of the national leadership.
Major Infrastructure Developments and Investments in Sabah
2024 proved to be a transformative year for Sabah, not just politically but also in terms of infrastructure and industrial growth. The federal government made several high-profile investments aimed at enhancing the state’s infrastructure and economic development.
One of the major initiatives was the announcement for construction of two 100MW power plants project and a large-scale solar power plant.
This move is expected to strengthen Sabah’s energy infrastructure, ensuring a steady power supply for its growing industrial needs. Sabah requires at least 2000MW of electricity to meet current demands and also support future development.
Other key infrastructure projects include the expansion works on Kota Kinabalu,Tawau and Lahad Datu airports, which will boost connectivity and support economic activities in these regions.
The year 2024 has been a watershed moment for Sabah, with Chief Minister Hajiji’s strategic political moves significantly shaping the state’s future.
The numerous infrastructure projects and substantial investments announced in Malaysia Budget 2025 promise to reshape Sabah’s economy and enhance its role in Malaysia’s broader development story.
Massive investment is expected to generate employment and drive industrialization across the state. These investments include RM20 billion from Esteel for a green steel plant and RM8.8 billion from Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) for developing a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility, are among the prominent investments, further solidifying Sabah’s position as an emerging industrial hub.
And RM1.7 billion in investments Sabah secured this year 2024. Both foreign and domestic investors remain confident in the state administration’s clear direction.
The Sipitang Oil & Gas Industrial Park (SOGIP), which has secured high-impact investments, is expected to start operating in 2026 and 2027.
In line with Sabah’s focus on socio-economic development, the state government’s economic performance, particularly revenue collection, has shown consistent growth each year, rising from RM4 billion to nearly RM7 billion last year.
As Sabah enters 2025, the Year of the Wood Snake, the state stands poised for continued growth and progress, driven by enhanced coordination between the state and federal government and the visionary leadership of Hajiji Noor.
One may say there has to be a degree of reciprocity. However, one must be realistic. All alliances are marriages of convenience that come with an expiry date written in invisible ink. The trick lies in reading it before your partner does. Hajiji is a master of the art of timing, so he should do well.
By : Selvaraja Somiah
The post Hajiji’s Strategic Moves Reshape Sabah’s Politics in 2024 A Year of Political and Infrastructure Transformation appeared first on Malaysia Today.

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