Hajiji Unites Sabah

Racial issue has often been abused to divide us. The issue becomes hotter during an impending state election as in the case in 2025 when the 17th State Election is likely to take place by the year’s end. In Sabah, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor has repeatedly vowed that diversity and inclusiveness will continue to bond – not divide - us. Hajiji has untiring carried our unity torch. He manages our resources and opportunities wisely and fairly. He leads by example because that is how he wants us to define inclusivity. Hajiji does not play the racial card even if provoked.

In 1969 during the riots crisis – and even today - race and religion has caused discords among us. The event in 1969 has transformed the political landscape of this nation. A few politicians with ulterior motives are still bend on scaring people using the tragic 1969 event. But Hajiji is a different breed. He always teaches Sabahans to ignore actions and words which are evil-intentioned, and which can potentially spark the fires of hate and distrust.

Hajiji reminds Sabahans to allow differences to unite rather than divide us and to demonstrate that our strength is in our diversity. Hajiji’s fights for unity are not for self-gain. His leadership shows that a unity government can be the better way forward. Hajiji has dedicated his political journey to promoting peace, kindness, fairness, integrity and good governance. He believes that racial, cultural, economic, and political integration can be complicated but that they are not impossible to harmoniously achieved.

It is little wonder that Hajiji – who has an unshakeable sense of nationalism – always shows to Sabahans that peace and progress must be based on sound political reasoning, wise decision making, and lasting degree of tolerance. With a leader like Hajiji, Sabah – unlike a few deeply divided areas in Malaya - has always maintained success in handling race relations. In the midst of groups where people go overboard over racial arguments and religious fervour, Hajiji stands tall as a leader of fairness and stability whose leadership transcend racial and religious bias. Hajiji has proven that harmony in multi-racial and multi religious Sabah isn’t a myth.