CHIEF Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor urged Sabah voters in the impending six-state elections in the peninsula to choose candidates from the Unity Government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is standing behind Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and fully supports the Unity Government,” said Hajiji, who is also the GRS Chairman.
“It is crucial that the Sabah voters pick Unity Government candidates to maintain the country’s political dynamics for a better future,” he said after meeting Sabah voters at the Royal Chulan Hotel in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, on July 28.
Present were Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Haji Aminuddin Harun, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali and Sabah Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Phoong Jin Zhe.
“GRS declares its full support to the Unity Government because it is the best platform for a multi-racial country like Malaysia to move forward,” said Hajiji.
He also urged the people to reject racial slurs and religious bigotry used by the opposition to canvas for votes.
“Such tactic is detrimental to a plural country like ours, which will never guarantee Malaysia’s future.”
He said stability, one of the important factors for the country to progress, can only be achieved when the people are united and not blinded by racism and bigotry.
Hajiji, who is also President of Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat), said the special rights of the Malays are protected under the Constitution but does not mean the interests of other races are ignored.
“The rights of the Malays, Bahasa Melayu as the official language, Islam as the official religion and the privilege of the Malay rulers are enshrined in the Federal Constitution and it must be respected.
“However, we cannot deny the rights of other races in Malaysia.
“We in Sabah have been a good example of unity in diversity and solidarity because, despite differences in race and religion, we have co-existed in harmony for so long regardless of political ideology, which is what the Unity Government is also promoting at the national level.
“Therefore, I call upon the people to support the Unity Government candidates in this state elections,” he said.
Among the GRS entourage at the event were Deputy Chairman Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, Vice Chairman Datuk Masiung Banah and Information Chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.
Also on hand were Kawang Assemblyman Datuk Ghulam Haidar Khan Bahadar, Pantai Dalit Assemblyman Datuk Jasnih Daya, Tempasuk Assemblyman Arshad Bistari, Tawau MP Lo Su Fui and Senator Datuk Bobbey Suan.
Hajiji also took time to meet up with Sabahans residing in Negeri Sembilan.
Hajiji and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg accompanied Anwar at the nomination centre at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Sungai Pusu in Gombak, Selangor.
Both state leaders were making their first appearance together with Federal leaders in showing support for the ruling coalition candidates in the peninsula.
The Election Commission had set July 29 as nomination day and Aug 12 as the polling date for the polls in six states, namely Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, and the Kuala Terengganu by-election, with early voting on Aug 8.
