KOTA KINABALU, Feb 14 — Barisan Nasional’s support for the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah coalition government will further solidify position, with only Parti Warisan left as the sole Opposition party now.
Chief Minister Datuk Hajiji Noor today thanked BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir for the coalition’s statement of support, saying it was a welcome move that will help the state move forward with its development agenda.
“That’s good. It means that the state will be more stable in its unity government concept pioneered by the prime minister,” he said.
When asked if the development meant that all was well between his coalition and BN after a power tussle last month, Hajiji said it was time to move on from the matter.
“In politics, there is no point holding on to grudges and vengeance. We have to put the people’s welfare and focus on uniting them and bring development that can lift the state up. That is the reason we do this and get into politics,” he said.
Hajiji also said he had no problem dealing with Sabah BN deputy chief Datuk Yakub Khan as the coalition’s liaison in negotiations.
“We don’t have issues — as long as it’s good for the people and the state. To me, I’m open to these things. My intention is to unite everyone and bring good to the state by developing the state with our agenda,” he said.
Hajiji, who is also Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS) president, has the support of 47 assemblymen in the 79-seat state assembly.
Last Sunday, Zambry announced that the coalition would support Hajiji’s government and also named Yakub Khan as the coalition’s liaison in negotiations with GRS, effectively sidelining Sabah BN and Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.
“This stand is in line with the stance of parties at the federal level who have formed the federal coalition government,” Zambry said.
Last month, Bung severed ties with Hajiji in an attempted political coup with Warisan.
However, the attempt fell through when Pakatan Harapan’s seven assemblymen and five Sabah Umno assemblymen decided to stay with Hajiji.
The move saw both Bung and Yakub losing their posts in the state Cabinet.
