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KOTA BELUD: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor ruled out excluding the participation of peninsula-based Pakatan Harapan as a strategic political partner in the next State election.

“We must think of the interests of our friends in the GRS and the Unity Government because we want to continue ruling Sabah,” he said, apparently referring to calls by Star and SAPP which prefer peninsula-based parties to leave Sabah to local parties.

Pakatan comprises PKR, DAP, Upko and Amanah Rakyat. Except for Upko the rest are peninsula-based. Hajiji reiterated on the importance of having a good relationship with the Federal Government.

“In politics, the state government must be ‘ngam’ and work closely with the Federal Government. This is important because of past history. 

“What happened when the state government did not cooperate with the federal government? I don’t want to say here, some people might get offended. So, the cooperation is necessary because we are in one country, Malaysia.

“Let’s not be too racist or regionalist. People are talking about a world without borders, and we are still in a village, talking only about the state and the country.

“So, we have to be good at politics, we can’t be hostile to the federal government,” he said, at the Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah Sports Division 2024 at Dewan Datuk Japlin Akim at Kg Jawi-Jawi, Sunday.

He is confident the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah- Pakatan Harapan State Government would be returned to power when the 17th State Elections are called based on current political developments and people’s acceptance of the existing government.

He said, the coalition has the strength to continue serving the people and develop the state to a better level.

Hajiji said the government under his leadership managed to achieve many successes even though it was just over a year of the Unity Government led by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“During my term and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, many things related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) were fulfilled just over a year ago.

“Now there are only a few issues left. We never back down in asking the Federal government to implement and fulfil what is written in MA63. I know the strength of our party, God willing, we will be together with PH Plus, and still be the government after the elections. God willing, the people want change and want GRS-PH Plus to continue,” he said 

The Gagasan Rakyat President said many things need to be taken into account when facing the next elections, including that related to the interests of allies in GRS and the Unity Government.

“This is the main condition and we want all party members to work hard to face the challenges because many things need to be taken into account in the next elections.