SABAH Chief Minister Hajiji Noor has not dismissed the possibility calling early state elections.

Hajiji, who is also Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) president, said the term for the GRS-PH Plus administration would end in October 2025.

“Even though we have two more years, we may consider having the state elections earlier,” he said in his keynote address at the Gagasan Rakyat 2023 annual general meeting in Kota Kinabalu, today.

He said the Gagasan Rakyat machinery must be prepared to work hard to face the Sabah polls because two years is not that far away.

Hajiji said in the next state elections, it is hoped that there would be no more attempts to seize power as what had happened earlier this year, which could jeopardise political stability in the state.

The GRS chairman said the dark episode in Sabah’s politics was a deep disappointment as it was orchestrated by a few leaders who were part of the state government and the move had disrupted administration of the state.

Without naming the leaders or group involved, he said the state government was almost paralysed, adding that political instability and frequent change in government and chief minister, could hinder the continuation of the state’s previous policies and hamper development.

“Developing the state requires a reasonable timeframe, along with the commitment and dedication of the government to achieve the goal of making the state more advanced and prosperous. Sabah needs political commitment for immediate development. The key is stability, and only with stability can Sabah be developed,” he said.

He said for the sake of political stability and in the interests of the people, GRS agreed to join the unity government and support Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. – Bernama, November 13, 2023.