KOTA MARUDU: Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili is still very much needed, especially in raising Sabah’s needs at the Federal level, said the Chief Minister.
Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said Dr Maximus, who is Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) President and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) candidate for Kota Marudu has been consistent and vociferous in fighting for Sabah rights.
“I need Dr Maximus to assist in voicing out Sabah’s demands to the Federal Government. His strong voice and persistence are still very much needed, particularly in demanding our rights in the 1963 Malaysia Agreement (MA63),” he said.
Speaking at the residence of Bersatu Sabah Deputy Sec-Gen Datuk Maijol Mahap in Kg Kokobuan, Sunday, Hajiji also described PBS’ decision to use the GRS symbol this time around as a huge sacrifice.
“This means a lot to me ... that is why I want the people in Kota Marudu to vote for Dr Max,” he said.
GRS, which consists of Bersatu, PBS, Star, SAPP and Usno, together with Barisan Nasional (BN) pledged to do its level best to continue bringing development to Sabah, he said.
“We want a stable and strong State Government,” he said, unlike the previous State Government led by Warisan.
“The Warisan-led State Government only lasted two years because it is a government that did not have blessings from the people,” he said.
He said Warisan President Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal failed to do anything for Kota Marudu during his two years as Chief Minister and before that when he was Federal Rural Development Minister.
“He talks like he knows everything but what has he done for Kota Marudu when he was Chief Minister? Not even a public toilet,” he said.
“He asked me what have I done? I want to ask him what has he done in Semporna? He could not even handle the houses razed in Kg Bangau-Bangau, Semporna.
“Only GRS-BN government (take over) that RM8.5 million was given for the settlement,” he said.
“Don’t tell lies. I don’t know how to talk like that. I only talk about facts,” he said.
Continuing his campaign trail here at Community Hall in Kampung Kirangawan later, Hajiji said Dr Maximus is a government candidate.
He advised the voters not to be too emotional when listening to opposition speeches.
He assured that the GRS-BN State Government would continue to implement development plans guided by the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ).
“We do not need any more political bickerings. We want to develop Sabah. It is time for us to unite under one umbrella that is GRS,” he said.
Hajiji also received more than 300 new membership application forms from former members of Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (PKDM) Kota Marudu in Kampung Kokobuan and Kirangawan.
Also present were Usno President Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia and Bersatu Kota Marudu division leaders.
