KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor (
pic) said the lack of respect shown towards the Borneo Bloc by the previous federal leadership prompted him to reconsider his political alignment.
He recalled a meeting in Kuala Lumpur with Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun and Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan where a senior federal leader dismissed the idea of a united Sabah and Sarawak voice.
According to Hajiji, the leader’s comment, declaring himself as “the Master,” signalled a clear disregard for the Borneo Bloc’s aspirations and Sabah’s role in shaping its future.
Speaking during the Gagasan Rakyat AGM on Sunday, Hajiji, who is also Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Chairman and Gagasan Rakyat President, said the incident led to deep reflection and eventually convinced him that change was needed for the sake of Sabah.
He said the Unity Government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had taken Sabah’s longstanding concerns seriously, particularly those related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Hajiji stressed that GRS backs the current government because it respects Sabah’s dignity and has begun to deliver on long-overdue commitments such as the devolution of powers.
He confirmed he would join Anwar during his visit to Sabah today, with cross-border cooperation and regional concerns in the Sulawesi Sea expected to be among the key matters discussed.
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