GRS–PH Cooperation Formula to Continue, Says Chief Minister

12 August 2025

RANAU: The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Supreme Council has agreed to maintain its current cooperation formula with Pakatan Harapan (PH) for the upcoming state election.

Chief Minister and (GRS) Chairman, Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor emphasised the importance of a strong working relationship between the state and federal governments, highlighting that such cooperation is essential for political and economic stability.

“We want a strong relationship with the Federal Government. We want stability, and we hope the people understand that we are doing our best for them — to bring prosperity and progress,” he said.

Hajiji made the remarks during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Paginatan New Township, held at the Nunuk Ragang Memorial open-air hall, near here.

The Chief Minister said the GRS–PH State Government has a proven track record of delivering development to Sabah.

“We have more than 400 initiatives under the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya development agenda, and around 94% have already been implemented,” he said.

He dismissed the opposition’s claims as misleading, stating they were intended to deceive the people. In contrast, he said, the GRS–PH government had introduced numerous assistance programmes focusing on education and overall well-being, initiatives not undertaken by previous state administrations.

“This year alone, we are providing monthly assistance of RM300 to nearly 100,000 hardcore poor, and this initiative will continue if the people renew the mandate for GRS–PH in the coming election,” Hajiji added.

He also highlighted a major success of his administration: securing greater state participation in the oil and gas sector, following the landmark signing of the Commercial Collaborative Agreement (CCA) with Petronas in 2021.

Earlier in his speech, Hajiji underscored the state government's commitment to addressing urban and rural poverty through development programmes led by the Sabah Housing and Town Development Authority (SHTDA).

He said the long-awaited Paginatan New Township Project would play a key role in boosting the local economy. The development aligns with the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) roadmap, which prioritises the well-being and quality of life of the people.

The new township, located approximately 43 kilometres from Ranau, will span 200 acres and be developed in five phases. It will include a wide range of essential facilities such as government offices, commercial shop lots, low-cost housing, a multi-purpose hall, a library, a health centre, a public market, and police and fire stations.

Once completed, Hajiji said, residents of Paginatan would no longer need to travel to Ranau or Telupid to access government services.

He also gave his assurance that the state government would address local concerns raised by Paginatan Assemblyman, Datuk Abidin Madingkir, ensuring the constituency's needs are prioritised.