UPKO's entry into GRS fold to strengthen Sabah's political stability

9 August 2026

PENAMPANG: UPKO's entry into Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) will further strengthen political stability in the State while enhancing cooperation among local parties in efforts to develop Sabah, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor.

Hajiji, who is also GRS Chairman, said UPKO's admission into GRS, which was approved by the GRS Supreme Council on June 8, was a positive development in Sabah's political landscape and was welcomed with an open heart.

fact, when we received UPKO's application to join GRS, we saw it as a positive development in Sabah politics, and we welcomed it with an open heart," he said when speaking at UPKO's 32nd Anniversary Celebration and 17th Triennial Delegates Conference at Hongkod Koisaan Hall, KDCA, here last night.

Hajiji said UPKO's presence in the coalition of Sabah-based parties would undoubtedly further strengthen political stability in Sabah and enhance cooperation among local parties through GRS.

"With political stability assured, it will certainly be easier for the State Government to focus on the people's development agenda, the State's economic prosperity and infrastructure development in Sabah," he said.

In this regard, he called on all UPKO leaders and members to work together to realise the vision of Sabah First, Sabah United, Sabah Forward and Sabah Prosper, while strengthening unity and cooperation among all GRS component parties.

Hajiji said he greatly appreciated the strong support extended by the UPKO President and party members throughout his tenure as Chief Minister, which had enabled him to lead Sabah's development through the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 1.0 development plan, now continued under SMJ 2.0.

He said the appointment of UPKO President Datuk Ewon Benedick as Deputy Chief Minister III and Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport carried a major responsibility to ensure that Sabah's investment, industrial development and entrepreneurship agendas are successfully realised in line with the objectives of SMJ 2.0.

"I am very confident that with the commitment and strong cooperation of all parties - from the State Government leadership to the roles and involvement of both the public

and private sectors. God willing, the SMJ 2.0 development plan can be implemented successfully and with excellence," he said.

He

said that as partners in GRS, the component parties may come from different backgrounds and have different foundations in their respective struggles, but they all under the same roof and fighting for the same land of Sabah.

"GRS is our home, a home that we must take care of together; a home that shelters our struggle, a struggle for the people and our beloved State," he said.

Hajiji said strong and close political unity and cooperation are key to a more developed, successful and prosperous future for Sabah.

"This is the agenda that we must implement so that future generations of Sabahans can be proud of the legacy that we will leave behind for them," he said. He also called on all GRS component parties to strengthen unity and continue working

closely together to develop their beloved Sabah.