PENAMPANG: Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor became emotional and shed tears as he told how his political career started 33 years ago.
"I can never forget the contributions of United Sabah National Organisation (USNO) to me. I never thought of becoming a politician.
"As a government servant (then in 1990), I was personally chosen by (USNO founder) Tun Datu Mustapha Datu Harun. He had asked me and a few others to be nominated as USNO candidates at that time.
"It was not easy to become a candidate for an opposition party at that time. After two weeks, I made the decision to contest under USNO in 1990.
"The challenge was immense as when I campaigned for the Sulaman constituency, it was difficult to receive support as USNO was an opposition party.
"However, because USNO's (renowned) political struggle was close to the locals, especially Bajau Samah in Sulaman, that's how I won the election," said Hajiji who has since defended the constituency until today.
Hajiji was speaking during the launching of Wisma USNO here.
He added that it was neither a thought nor a dream that he would become the state's 16th Chief Minister.
"I think that I am the Chief Minister that faces most difficulties and challenges as compared to others… except for Tun Mustapha (who pulled through the Japanese occupation).
"There was a Covid-19 pandemic, economic downturn, shops and hostels were closed, no entry into Sabah, nor allowed to go out from our own homes.
"One week after the state election (in 2020), I was also admitted to the hospital (due to Covid-19 infection), I thought I couldn't survive as I was given oxygen for the whole week.
"But I continue to be the Chief Minister to face political instability in Sabah and the country. But maybe with God's help, I can overcome all the challenges and determine our direction."
Hajiji said USNO is a lesson that shows politics could change despite the party being so strong and influential in the history of the state's politics.
He added the journey to have local political parties under Gabungan Rakyat Sabah coalition was not easy but he was glad that it could unite great leaders including from USNO to bring development for Sabah.
The Chief Minister also defended that the slogan "Sabah Maju Jaya" was also the brainchild of Mustapha and engrained in Sabah arms of coat.
"Instead of associating it with something negative such as no water, no electricity and roads with potholes, the slogan should motivate people to develop the state together."
Present were USNO president Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia and Sabah Progressive Party president Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee.