Hajiji’s Gagasan Rakyat agrees on constitution amendment to trim divisions

 The party intends to reduce the number of divisions from 74 to 26, based on the 25 parliamentary constituencies in Sabah and one in Labuan.

Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah president Hajiji Noor said the restructuring, aimed at strengthening the party at all levels, will involve the merger of smaller divisions into larger ones. (Bernama pic)

KOTA KINABALU:

Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) approved a motion at a special general assembly today to amend its constitution, which will allow it to reduce the number of divisions from 74 to 26.

Party president Hajiji Noor said the restructuring meant Gagasan Rakyat will now base its 26 divisions on the 25 parliamentary constituencies in Sabah and one in Labuan, rather than on the 73 Sabah state seats and one Labuan parliamentary seat previously.

“This matter will be brought to the RoS (Registrar of Societies) for approval before the restructuring can be officially enforced,” he told reporters after the assembly.

Hajiji, who is also the chief minister, said the restructuring, aimed at strengthening the party at all levels, will involve the merger of smaller divisions into larger ones.

He also said the party is ready to face the next general election by focusing on strategies and streamlining its machinery along parliamentary lines, as discussed during the party’s Supreme Council meeting.

“It just so happens that we will be facing a parliamentary general election, which makes this amendment very timely,” he said.

Asked about potential cooperation for the election, Hajiji, who is also the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah chairman, said the coalition would explore all possibilities of working with other parties if it benefits the people and the state.

Earlier, in his address at the assembly, he said the restructuring in no way erases the contributions, roles, or sacrifices of grassroots members. Instead, it aims to better organise all party machinery for the general election. = FMR