KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has called on members of Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) in all of its 73 state constituencies to begin preparations for the 17th state election which is due in September 2025.
Hajiji, who is also Gagasan Rakyat president, said they needed to prepare from now to ensure victory for the party and the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) ruling state coalition.
He said that all divisions and branches, including the respective wings, must take efforts to strengthen the party machinery and increase memberships in all divisions.
"This is what we will do starting in the Pitas division because the Sabah state election will be held in about two years from now,” he said during the launching of the Pitas Gagasan Rakyat division at the northern rural district on Saturday (June 17).
"If GRS and the 73 divisions of Gagasan Rakyat are ready, have strengthened the divisions, increased the number of members in the branches (among others), God willing, we can think about making sure we get the people's mandate again in the next election,” he added.
Also present were Pitas Gagasan Rakyat division chief Datuk Seri Ruddy Awah, Gagasan Rakyat secretary-general Datuk Mohd Razali Razi and GRS Youth chief Datuk Fairuz Renddan.
The Pitas division was the first to be launched by Hajiji after the launch of Gagasan Rakyat on March 2.
Hajiji, who is also GRS chairman, said he is confident that the party has a bright future in Sabah based on the people’s encouraging response.
"Our people want a local party to be a platform to fight for the fate of the people in Sabah.
“It is not easy for us to form this party, everyone knows that our political journey in Sabah is winding and full of great challenges.
"But I am confident that we can fight for the struggle of this local party together with GRS for Sabah.
“This is the combination that we will use in the next election,” he said.
According to Hajiji, GRS and Gagasan Rakyat aimed to unite the people.
“This is because we have experienced various waves of political challenges in Sabah.
“It was not easy for us to reach our position today in succeeding to use local parties (instead of relying on national parties)," added the former Sabah Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chief.
Hajiji also reiterated his confidence in the ability of GRS - which now consists of seven parties - in facing any challenges towards developing Sabah as aspired by Sabahans.
“Now is the time for us to use the local party, but at the same time, we cannot quarrel with the national parties.
“We must also be friends and cooperate with them, but our priority is local parties,” he said.
