UPKO Joins GRS to Strengthen Sabah's Political Stability, Says Chief Minister

The entry of the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO) into the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition is poised to bolster political stability in Sabah, according to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

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When we received UPKO's application to join GRS, we saw it as a positive sign in Sabah's political development, and we accepted it with open hearts.

Hajiji, who also chairs GRS, stated that UPKO's application to join the coalition, decided on June 8, represents a positive development for the state's political landscape. He expressed that UPKO's request was met with open arms, as the move is believed to strengthen cooperation among local parties.

"When we received UPKO's application to join GRS, we saw it as a positive sign in Sabah's political development, and we accepted it with open hearts," Hajiji said at UPKO's 32nd anniversary and 17th Triennial General Meeting. He emphasized that political stability creates an environment conducive to the state government focusing on its development agenda, economic prosperity, and infrastructure advancement.

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With the guarantee of political stability, 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.

Hajiji urged UPKO leaders and members to support the Sabah First, Sabah United, Sabah Forward, and Sabah Prosper vision, reinforcing unity within GRS. He also acknowledged the support from UPKO President Datuk Ewon Benedick and party members during his tenure leading the state government, particularly in implementing the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 1.0 plan, now continued as SMJ 2.0. Benedick's appointment as Deputy Chief Minister III and Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship, and Transport carries significant responsibility for realizing Sabah's investment, industrial, and entrepreneurial goals under SMJ 2.0. Hajiji expressed confidence that with collective commitment, the SMJ 2.0 development plan will be successfully executed.

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I am very confident that with the commitment and solid cooperation of all parties, from the government leadership to the roles and involvement of both the public and private sectors. God willing, the SMJ 2.0 development plan will be successfully implemented with excellence.