KOTA KINABALU: Former federal minister Salleh Said Keruak says chief minister Hajiji Noor deserves a chance to continue running the state, amid speculation that the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government could be in trouble after Umno retracted its support for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.
Fielding questions from netizens during his “Sembang Santai” online programme today, the Usukan assemblyman said Hajiji’s tenure as CM was not the same as when he held the top seat previously.
“The situation is different now. No party has the absolute majority,” said Salleh, who is also the GRS backbenchers club chairman.
“We have to work with each other, (and) focus on developing Sabah. If we keep on politicking, it will only cause the people to suffer.”
He said that as Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin explained yesterday, the question of a power shift in the state did not arise as the parties within GRS enjoyed good relationships with each other.
Salleh said Sabah Umno had committed to maintaining the present government, as stated in its state election manifesto.
“We (should) only resolve the question of party politics when the general election comes. Then, the people are free to choose.
“If they’re not happy with our performance, they can change (the government) but if they are, they will ‘extend the contract’ … that’s democracy. We can’t change (the government) whenever there’s a problem.
“So, Hajiji is the CM. Our responsibility is to ensure he can carry out his duties to the best he can, which is not easy presently.”
Bung had said yesterday that Sabah Umno would remain with GRS despite the central party’s decision to retract its support for Muhyiddin.
He said the state chapter believed it had no reason to quit GRS as the Bersatu-led Sabah government had been doing its job.
Meanwhile, Salleh said GRS parties should not allow the political developments across the pond to affect the unity and synergy in the state.
He said Hajiji and Bung always held discussions with each other on state affairs, as well as with GRS allies Jeffrey Kitingan, who is Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku president, and Parti Bersatu Sabah chief Maximus Ongkili, among others.
“Whatever happens at the federal level, we can’t bring that over to Sabah because the cooperation between Bersatu and Umno here is very good. Don’t let the political problems there divide us.” - FMT
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