KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor is now leading Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat).
Hajiji, who is also Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman said the party would be a platform to fight for the state and its people.
He said Gagasan Rakyat was accepted into GRS on Dec 9.
The other five members of GRS are Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS); Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR); Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) and United Sabah National Organisation (Usno).
After the 15th General Election, Hajiji and other Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia lawmakers quit the peninsular-based party. Earlier this month, Sabah Barisan Nasional lawmakers cited the "partly-less" status of Hajiji to try to topple his administration.
Hajiji said despite his administration having managed the state well, there were still individuals not satisfied due to their greed rather than the state's performance.
"More importantly, I have received majority support from the state assemblymen as chief minister of Sabah, and now I am leading the Gagasan Rakyat party.
"Therefore, after this, there will be no more issues to dispute my position as chief minister.
"We have done our best for the future of Sabah. I am confident that we can overcome all the challenges in this government," he said after the closing ceremony of the GRS Student Convention and the Launch of the GRS Student Wing here today.
Earlier, at the convention, Hajiji in his speech said he wanted students, including those aged 18 and above, to have knowledge about the political situation and struggle in the country, including Sabah.
"I want more Sabah students in public or private institutions of higher learning across the country to be involved in the programmes implemented by the GRS Student Wing.
"Through their involvement in programmes such as this, the government will be more aware of all the wishes of young people," he said.
Hajiji said the state government had provided various platforms for students to share their aspirations and voice their grouses.
"Among them is the Sabah Student Consultative Council (MPPS) and the Malaysian Sabah Student Secretariat (SEMESTA). All this shows the government's recognition of young people, especially students.
"As chief minister, I will scrutinise and take note of every proposal suggested for the common good, including through this convention," he said.
Hajiji said the state government had allocated RM16.42 million in the state's 2023 Budget to implement youth leadership programmes.
"All this is to produce high-quality youth leaders, I hope young people will take advantage of all the initiatives provided by the government because you are all assets that need to be given an opportunity in the economic development of the state," he said.