Kota Kinabalu: Bongawan Gagasan Rakyat Division Election Machinery Director Datuk Karim Bujang is confident the party can wrest the Bongawan state seat from Warisan in the next State Election.
Speaking at a membership ceremony at his house, Sunday, Karim cited the recent influx of 3,000 Warisan and other members joining Gagasan Rakyat as boosting his confidence.
He said this proved many of Warisan’s key division members have lost faith in the party’s ability to defend the interests of Sabahans.
“There is an awakening among the people that only a local ruling party can bring reforms to this area,” Karim said.
“After two terms of Warisan rule, Bongawan is still lagging behind, worsened by the party being in the opposition,” he said.
Present were Gagasan Rakyat President and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who is also the Chief Minister.
Earlier, Hajiji was welcomed at the Papar Parliamentary and Kawang State Assembly open house at the National Secondary School (SMK) Pengalat Hall by Domestic Trade and Living Costs Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali who is Papar MP and Kawang Assemblyman Dato’ Sri Gulam Haidar Khan Bahadar who is Director of Yayasan Sabah Group.
The CM presented replica keys of Rumah Mesra Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) to recipients, in addition to handing out Hari Raya money to underprivileged (Asnaf) and military retirees.
Also present were Deputy Chief Minister III cum Minister of Public Works Datuk Ir. Shahelmey Yahya, Minister of Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Datuk James Ratib, State Secretary, Datuk Seri Sr. Safar Untong and other guests.
The celebration was attended by more than 12,000 people from various races and religions.
Hajiji also attended the Open House of State Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin bin Datuk Mohd Arif in Kg Pimping, Membakut.
