We’ll resolve seat distribution, says Hajiji

Sabah Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chief Datuk Hajiji Noor has assured that seat distribution issues among partners will be resolved and announced before the Sept 12 nomination day for the state election.

The incumbent Sulaman assemblyman appears calm over reports that Sabah Umno wants to recontest all the seats it was allotted back in the 2018 general election, including Hajiji’s seat which he won under the Umno ticket.

“I have met with Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin several times. The meetings went well and we are using our wisdom to come up with what will be the best for this coming election,” he said after officiating the party’s Tuaran division conference yesterday.

Bung Moktar is the Sabah Umno chairman.

“I am confident we will solve it before nomination day. We in Bersatu have a win-win approach; we cannot take all or many seats as we need to consider the interest of our partners and allies.

“We have no problem cooperating with Umno and other partners. What is important is winning,” said Hajiji, who is also Bersatu’s Tuaran division chief.

He said he would be attending a meeting next week between Perikatan Nasional and other partners in Barisan Nasional to decide on the seat allocation and other election-related matters.

“We are still discussing whether to use one logo,” he said when asked whether there were any discussions on the possibility of using the Barisan Nasional logo.

He stressed that Sabah Bersatu had been given autonomy by party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to decide on candidates as well as where they wish to stand.

“But of course, in every important matter, we will refer to him (Muhyiddin) for advice,” he said.

Earlier in his speech when opening the conference, Hajiji claimed the caretaker state government led by Parti Warisan Sabah did not have a clear direction and made no effort to improve the livelihood of the people, which led to a major drop in Sabah’s gross domestic product (GDP).

He said the state economic performance growth dropped from 8.2% in 2017 (before Warisan took over) to 0.5% in 2019, which was the lowest recorded.

The 2018 GDP growth was recorded at 1.5%.

“That is why we want to take over the state government so that focus can be given to the people, especially the underprivileged and those living in the rural areas,” Hajiji said, adding that the people of Sabah must continue supporting the Muhyiddin-led Bersatu as he was committed to the well-being of the people.

Meanwhile, Sabah Bersatu members in Kota Kinabalu were urged to make use of social media to share useful information, instead of promoting disunity and hatred.

Its Kota Kinabalu division chief Datuk Faisyal Yusof Hamdain Deigo said members must stay united if they want to see the party stay strong and continue to grow.

“Unity among ourselves will make it easier for us to work together for a common goal,” he said when officiating the Kota Kinabalu division meeting.