KOTA KINABALU: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) component parties should work hard to fight attacks by the Opposition against them following claims of bribery among state assemblymen over mining licences, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

The GRS chairman said the eight-party coalition has gone through many challenges and tests in the last four years.

They have managed to weather those storms and became stronger, he added.

“But there is another challenge that has tested our resilience.

“The Opposition is using dirty tactics to bring down the GRS-Pakatan Plus government by spreading slander and lies against the state government and party leadership.

“This is the challenge we must fight until the end as it can poison the people’s minds to hate the government and its leaders,” he said in his speech at the launch of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) annual general meeting here yesterday. LDP is a GRS component party.

The MACC has begun an investigation into the controversy after the Sabah government lodged a police report on Nov 12 against the former chief executive officer of Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd, Jontih Enggihon. Jontih has gone on record in a video to accuse Hajiji of politically driven abuse of power in the issuance of mining licences.

Hajiji said the GRS parties should ensure that the people will not be fooled by the actions of those wanting to topple the state government through dirty tactics.

He added that LDP, as one of the parties backing GRS, would be able to play an important role in countering all the deception and unscrupulous tactics by their rivals.

Besides LDP, GRS comprises anchor party Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, of which Hajiji is president.

The others are Parti Bersatu Sabah, Sabah STAR, Sabah Progressive Party, United Sabah National Organisation, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (Harapan Rakyat) and the latest member Parti Cinta Sabah, led by former foreign minister Tan Sri Anifah Aman.

Hajiji said there is still much to be done to develop the state and provide assistance for its people.

He added that the close rapport between the GRS component parties will help it win the 17th Sabah state election.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/11/18/hajiji-urges-grs-parties-to-fight-dirty-tactics