KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's political crisis serves as a lesson and a reminder to others that new strategies must be adopted to improve a situation, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
Sabah had experienced several crises as politicians switched parties, resulting in the collapse of the state government. In 1994, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) won the election.
However, shortly after being declared the winner, almost all PBS assemblymen defected to Barisan Nasional (BN). Its then president, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, was not allowed to be sworn in as chief minister.
In 2020, Sabah had a snap election after the then two-year Parti Warisan-led government collapsed when its assemblymen pledged their support to former BN chief minister Tan Sri Musa Aman.
Earlier this month, Sabah BN again attempted to shake Hajiji's administration by withdrawing their support for the government.
"Let's practise 'development politics' that is more meaningful and values solidarity and unity.
"By following this principle, we can find common ground for unifying consensus, not differences and competition that divide," he said at the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP)'s Chinese New Year luncheon at Hakka Hall here.
Hajiji, who is also Gabungan Rakyat Sabah chief, said the latest state cabinet reshuffle was meant to strengthen the state government.
He emphasised the importance of an inclusive administration to ensure that the state government was able to function as a united team that trusted each other and respected each other's ideas.
"The state government is determined to have a leader who shares this commitment and understands every need in order to ensure development and state administration run smoothly and without disruption.
"Political stability is important to achieve this goal. We need to ensure that our development momentum continues to move forward and fulfil our election promises to the people."
Hajiji said among his many achievements in having more autonomy were transferring gas supervision authority to the state and approving federal government projects valued less than RM50 million.
"To ensure the Federation of Malaysia's prosperity and sustainability, it is essential that Sabah's development be raised as one of the national agendas.
"In several meetings with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, he had assured me that he would examine all these issues to find an immediate solution."