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Tuaran: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Pakatan Harapan (PH) Plus State Government is committed to fairness towards all, regardless of whether they are government or opposition supporters.

He said despite various criticisms and slander thrown at him and his government, the issue of fairness remains his guiding principle. 

Based on this principle, he tries his best to provide fair treatment to all in Sabah regardless of their political background, race and religion. 

For instance, he never hesitated approving scholarship applications of children of opposition leaders because of his concern for these young Sabahans. 

“I even approved Azis Jaman’s (Warisan Information Chief) scholarship application of his child … what else haven’t we done? I was fair when he and his wife came to meet me at the office. 

“Because of my concern that the child must be helped we approved the scholarship. I never think only of my party members, but  everyone. 

“There are children of other opposition leaders who have received facilities. I can’t  (ignore them). We have no grudge, we don’t pressure anyone even though we are the government,” he said when officiating the 2024 Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) Sulaman Division annual meeting at Dewan Seri Sulaman, Sunday. 

Hajiji, who is also Gagasan Rakyat President, said likewise he wants leaders at the grassroots level such as branch heads, village chiefs and Village Development and Security Committee chairmen to also act fairly. 

“For any of our people who need help, don’t be selective, give the correct information to the government or the people’s representatives. 

“This is the principle I’ve held for 35 years as Sulaman Assemblyman, ask my friends here. As humans, many don’t like me, but that’s okay, I don’t keep it in my heart.”  

He described the opposition’s criticism of his current government as deliberately “blinding the eyes” because they refuse to acknowledge their mistakes when they were the government before. 

Hajiji cited the water and road issues often raised by the opposition which were inherited from the previous governments due to  inappropriate actions they took. 

“This includes changing the existing concession company with their appointed company, causing the Government to pay hundreds of millions in compensation due to the termination of the previous company’s concession.

“They were given trust. But what did they do in two and a half years of ruling except take revenge by cancelling contracts approved by the previous Barisan Nasional (BN) government. 

“The current water and road problems…when they took over the Government, nothing else was done except cancelling contracts that already had agreements to manage water treatment plants or village roads. 

“As a result of the cancellations the government had to pay hundreds of millions to these concessions. They appointed new contractors and that’s why it became uncertain.

For example, the salty tap water in Sandakan. That’s (because of) the contractor they appointed. 

“But, in social media they said it is GRS which failed. It was them who failed. That’s why when they dissolved the State Assembly, they lost,” he said. 

The GRS Chairman described the opposition as only good at talking big and blaming the current government without admitting what they did before. 

In this regard, he said the opposition’s desire to return to power in the coming Sabah Election is a dream because he is confident the people of Sabah are wise in evaluating a party or coalition of parties that can truly lead Sabah to progress.