KOTA KINABALU – Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has been sworn in for a second term as the Chief Minister of Sabah, following a tightly contested state election that saw his coalition secure a simple majority in the 73-seat State Legislative Assembly.
The 17th Sabah State Election, held on Saturday, 29 November, concluded with GRS emerging as the largest single block, winning 29 seats. However, with the threshold for a simple majority set at 37 seats, the coalition had to forge strategic alliances to form the state government.
In a late-night manoeuvring that extended into the early hours of Sunday, GRS solidified its position by partnering with Pakatan Harapan (PH), the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO), and a bloc of independent assemblymen. The final tally allowed the coalition to cross the finish line with exactly 37 seats – the minimum required to govern.
Hajiji, 70, took his oath of office before the Yang Dipertua Negeri, Tun Musa Aman, at Istana Seri Kinabalu at approximately 3:05 am on Sunday.
Speaking to the press shortly after the ceremony, the re-elected Chief Minister described the victory as a mandate from the people to continue the state’s development agenda.
”This victory belongs to every one of you who believes in our vision, supports our efforts, and shares our dream for a brighter future for Sabah,” Hajiji said. “With heartfelt gratitude, I accept the trust you have placed in me and my colleagues in GRS to once again lead and serve as your representatives.”
The election results revealed a fractured political landscape. While GRS held its ground in key constituencies, the opposition Parti Warisan, led by Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, put up a formidable fight, securing 25 seats to become the largest opposition party. Barisan Nasional (BN) won six seats, while Perikatan Nasional (PN) managed only one.
The intense race was underscored by the critical role of independent candidates, five of whom proved to be kingmakers by throwing their support behind Hajiji’s coalition. UPKO contributed two seats to the government tally, and PH added one.
Hajiji emphasised that his administration would immediately resume work on the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 2.0 blueprint, a development plan focused on economic recovery and infrastructure. He outlined four main pillars for his second term: “Sabah First, Sabah Forward, Sabah Prosper, and Sabah United.”
”The unwavering support of the people and their confidence in our struggle have been the catalyst for this victory,” he added, calling for reconciliation after the heated campaign period. “To all our opponents who have contested alongside us… let us close ranks and embrace the spirit of democracy by standing united.”
The weeks leading up to the polls were marked by intense campaigning, with issues such as infrastructure development, youth unemployment, and state autonomy dominating the discourse. The outcome suggests that while the electorate desires continuity, there remains a strong demand for checks and balances, evidenced by the significant opposition presence in the assembly.
As the dust settles, the new state government faces the immediate task of uniting a polarised assembly and delivering on its promises to a population eager for economic stability and improved public amenities.
