The evolution of Hajiji Noor

 The Sabah chief minister’s smile endures, but his old gentleness can no longer be taken for granted.

For years, Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor was seen as a calm, conciliatory leader.

Never one to provoke an open confrontation, he was always seen as a “Mr Nice Guy” — someone who wanted to keep the peace, avoid major conflicts, and ensure everyone felt included.

But since the Sabah state election last November, that image has begun to evolve.

Hajiji still smiles and speaks in gentle tones, but his politics have hardened. He now makes bolder, riskier decisions, signalling a new phase of leadership.

This is the new Hajiji: no longer just an amiable figure, but a leader determined to show that Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), under his stewardship, is no longer keen to provide temporary shelter for parties or politicians.

Political message

When STAR, SAPP, and later Usno under Pandikar Amin Mulia left GRS, Hajiji did not panic. He did not plead for them to stay. He simply accepted their departure and wished them well.

That was more than just politeness—it was a political message.

GRS will not stand in anyone’s way. Parties and personalities may freely leave, but they should not expect the door to remain open or their old positions to be waiting should they return. The coalition will move on regardless.

The signal is clear: walking away carries consequences.

Not an Umno lifeline

Despite winning the most seats in the November election, GRS needed stability to govern. Bringing Umno and Barisan Nasional into the post-election arrangement was controversial, but Hajiji saw value in it.

BN may be smaller now, but it still has machinery, grassroots networks, electoral experience, and ties to Putrajaya—assets that matter in Sabah politics.

Hajiji’s move was not about bowing to Umno, but about stabilising the state government. The victories in Kinabatangan and Lamag reinforced this point: GRS supported BN, and the disciplined machinery delivered results.

This was not a lifeline for Umno, but a calculated partnership.

Diplomacy worth RM1.5 billion

Hajiji’s firmness, tempered with pragmatism, has also brought immense benefits to Sabahans. Putrajaya recently raised Sabah’s interim special grant from RM600 million to RM1.5 billion, even as negotiations on the state’s 40% revenue entitlement continue.

Sabah politics has too often thrived on autonomy rhetoric, but slogans alone do not build infrastructure or deliver welfare. Although firm in defending Sabah’s rights, Hajiji has shown himself to be pragmatic enough to maintain working ties with the federal government.

His administration also wants to show it is not consumed by political manoeuvring. Its Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0 agenda and welfare initiatives are proof that GRS has plans beyond simply holding power.

The challenge ahead

Still, challenges remain. A toughened-up Hajiji must prove that firmness does not mean exclusion. GRS cannot rely only on its traditional base; it must win over urban voters, the Chinese community, and more critical constituencies.

Urban voters demand governance, economic opportunities, infrastructure, integrity, and inclusivity. They punish quickly if they sense complacency.

Hajiji’s task is to ensure GRS is not seen as strong merely because it has the numbers, but because it inspires confidence across communities.

Ultimately, GRS must evolve from being a temporary election vehicle into Sabah’s political centre of gravity. Whether critics like it or not, the coalition remains the state’s main governing platform.

Today, Hajiji’s smile endures, but his old gentleness can no longer be taken for granted.

Those dealing with him now face a different leader — not just Sabah’s “Mr Nice Guy,” but a political architect who knows when to open the door to let people leave without looking back. - FMT

The writer is the editor of FMT’s Malay News Desk.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.