Hajiji greeted by supporters at the event in Keningau.
SANDAKAN: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said just because no Chinese was appointed Minister or Assistant Minister does not mean the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah-Barisan Nasional (GRS-BN) State Government marginalised the community.“It is my wish to appoint a Chinese leader as a Minister but in the last 16th State Election (PRN16), none of our Chinese candidates won.
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“So when the next PRN comes, support Chinese leaders who are candidates under GRS, we will then give ministerial and assistant ministerial positions,” he told a gathering at Hakka Sandakan Hall, Wednesday.
Responding to accusations by Parti Warisan President Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, Hajiji who is GRS Chairman said many Chinese are playing very important roles in the Government through various appointments, including two former chief ministers, Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee and Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat.
“I also set up the Sabah Economic Advisory Council (SEAC) where its leader and deputy are leaders of the Chinese community who are experienced in business. We have appointed many more.
He said what should be prioritised is restore the economy and develop Sabah rather than play with sentiments.
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“In politics, we cannot play with sentiments, instead the most important thing is our work to restore the economy…if we play politics, we don’t do anything like in the Warisan era where they were just clever in talking here and there.
“I want to ask Shafie what he did as Chief Minister two years ago. And when he was the Federal Rural and Regional Development Minister?
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“I went to Semporna. He (Shafie) talked about ‘reset Sabah’ when it is Semporna that should have been reset first.
“Imagine the fire in 2015 when he was the Rural and Regional Development Minister and had the power to build houses to help those fire victims. He didn’t.
“Until he became Chief Minister and his government fell, he never succeeded in helping the fire victims,” he said.
Hajiji said (Shafie) when talking about Sabah even wants to become Prime Minister because he thinks the offer for the position of Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) is insufficient.
“But, look at yourself first, do we have the support (to become PM)? Even in Sabah, it (Warisan) became the government because some people followed or crossed over, not getting the people’s mandate.
“He became Chief Minister not on the mandate of the people, but the support of people who crossed over.
“This is different from GRS-BN. We got a mandate in the last PRN, the people voted for us and supported us. This is the reality and because of that we formed the GRS-BN coalition government and in this GE we are also with BN,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hajiji described the GRS candidate for Sandakan, Kapitan Thomas Lau as a qualified and experienced person capable of bringing about change in Sandakan if given a mandate in this GE15.
“I knew Kapitan when I was Local Government and Housing Minister, he was then the Deputy President of the Sandakan Municipal Council (MPS).
“He is an experienced person, he has an excellent record in local authority administration (PBT) and that is why after discussing with SAPP President, I have no doubt in approving Kapitan Thomas Lau as our candidate in Sandakan.
“So vote for him because he is a State Government candidate. If you choose someone else, it is not possible to raise the problems and requests from the Chinese community,” he stressed.
Also present were SAPP President Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee, Usno President Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, other GRS and BN leaders and Chinese community leaders in the district.
In KENINGAU, Hajiji said the State Government cares for youths and gives great priority and opportunities to them.
He said the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development plan is a big agenda to develop Sabah.
“Through the SMJ, the Government gives priority and space to young people because they are the leaders who will inherit this State. Not only young people, but women are also given priority.
“The State Government also provides job and business opportunities for the youth and the people of this state.
“Various programmes and provisions related to young people are provided in SMJ. This is our struggle to develop Sabah and provide prosperity to the people as a whole.
He said Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan who is Deputy Chief Minister is the right candidate to continue bringing the voice of the state of Sabah to the Federal level.
“Dr Jeffrey is also an experienced candidate especially in his struggle to claim the rights of Sabah. I and all of us in Sabah need a leader like him.
“Therefore, I hope that the young people and the people of Sabah in Keningau give their full support to candidate Number 3 (Dr Jeffrey).
“I believe if the people and youths in this area continue to support the GRS-BN candidate, not only will we get a bigger majority this time, but there will be a voice for Sabah’s rights in Parliament.
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