KUCHING: Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor arrived in Sarawak today with a high-powered delegation for a one-day visit set to further strengthen Sabah's existing close ties with its fellow Borneo state.
In his maiden visit to Kuching as Chief Minister of Sabah, Hajiji met with his Sarawak counterpart, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Haji Johari Tun Openg, for the first time after the latter led the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to a landslide victory in last December’s Sarawak State Elections.
Hajiji said, apart from personally congratulating Tan Sri Abang Johari on securing a clear mandate to helm the government, the visit was also aimed at exploring new areas of cooperation between the two Borneon States as regional partners in the Federation of Malaysia.
“Sabah and Sarawak have many similarities in terms of culture, history and struggles. Hence, there is much synergy to harness for our common good," he said in a statement today.
“As members of the MA63 Special Council chaired by the Prime Minister, we have cohesively worked together to push for the momentous passing of the Federal Constitution Amendment 2021 relevant to the Malaysia Agreement 1963, last year."
At the meeting, also attended by his Cabinet members, Tan Sri Abang Johari shared his views on several matters including state-federal relations, the need for political stability, Sarawak rights and the common stand Sarawak and Sabah could takein pursuing state rights.
Hajiji said he and Tan Sri Abang Johari are no strangers, both having been long time friends and colleagues, serving as Minister of Housing in previous governments.
Accompanying the Chief Minister were his three deputies, Datuk Seri Panglima Bung Moktar Radin, Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan and Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam, Sabah State Assembly Speaker Datuk Kadzim Yahya and Sabah State Secretary Datuk Seri Panglima Safar Untong.
