PITAS: Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has hinted that the next state election might be called earlier than expected.
"The latest we can hold the state election is by October next year. So, I am thinking about when we will call for the (next state) election.
"If I decide to hold it earlier, then it will be earlier (than October next year).
"That is why we need to start preparing now," said the Parti Gagasan Rakyat chief at the Pitas party annual general meeting here.
On other matters, Hajiji attributed the state's ongoing water supply issues to the termination of nine concession companies by the previous state administrations.
He said this move not only led to lawsuits but also severely disrupted water management in the state.
He added that the actions of the previous administration resulted in significant financial losses for the state, with RM315 million paid in compensation to the concession companies.
Hajiji claimed after terminating the contracts, the previous state administration appointed new companies with no prior experience, further exacerbating the state's water supply problems.
"Now they are blaming us, but it was the companies they appointed that couldn't perform the job properly," he said.