KOTA KINABALU: The 17th Sabah election will be a good opportunity for Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah to strengthen its position, said its president Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He said the polls would also solidify people's support towards the party.
"This momentum will make Gagasan Rakyat and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) to be solid in the political arena, thus creating a strong and respectable political bloc.
"Although Gagasan Rakyat is only a year old, our maturity and experience go beyond its age, as most of our members are seasoned fighters and politicians who can distinguish between black and white," he said in his officiating speech for the party general assembly at Sabah International Convention Centre here.
He said it was important to have respectful, unifying, and developing politics that aligns with Sabah's values.
Hajiji said Sabah would need continuous support from the people to renew its mandate for another five years to ensure the planning of Sabah Maju Jaya initiatives to be executed.
"We are shouldering heavy responsibility to ensure (that we) fight for the rights of the people.
"We need to solve the long overdue legacy (inherited problems).
"I guarantee that the government that I lead will continue solving people's problems.
As the people hold the power to decide the next state government, he reminded people to maximise their efforts to approach and meet the people.
"Let's reflect. Are we really close with them? Are they pleased and support our fight?
"You are on the ground and will be more well-versed with the questions I asked.
"As the president, I am not only hoping for a good report or story in every constituency, but I want sincerity and honesty in providing reports.
"Sometimes, there are reports inconsistent with the feedback that I heard myself.
"We should not practice the political culture that only prioritises parties and neglects the people of Sabah."