KOTA KINABALU, Oct 19 — Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is confident of securing victory in the upcoming 17th Sabah State Election, driven by the unity, readiness and fighting spirit of its election machinery at all levels.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor, who is also the GRS chairman, said the launch of the coalition’s election machinery served as an important platform to strengthen strategy and morale among party members ahead of next month’s polls.

“If we have an efficient, well-trained and united machinery, God willing, GRS will achieve victory in the 17th Sabah State Election,” he said when launching the GRS election machinery at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here on Sunday.

He reminded all party machinery members not to be complacent but to work hard to secure a resounding victory and ensure Sabah continues to be governed by a stable and capable administration.

“We must reignite our fighting spirit and strengthen our unity. With strong spirit and solid unity, no opposing force can shake our struggle,” he said.

Hajiji said that even though two parties had chosen to leave the coalition ahead of the election, GRS’s strength and unity remain intact because its struggle is founded on sincerity and genuine friendship for Sabah’s future.

“The ‘Langkah Kinabalu’ episode taught us something very valuable, our house has been tested, but it did not fall. Rumah kita, kita jaga — rumah kita, rumah Gabungan Rakyat Sabah” he declared.

He said GRS reflects genuine cooperation among Sabah’s major local parties and that no other coalition can match its strength.

“There is no other coalition as large as GRS that unites local parties with the shared goal of championing Sabahans’ rights as equal partners in Malaysia. That is why we need to ensure GRS not only wins, but wins in style!” he said.

Hajiji emphasised that this election is not merely about gaining power but about determining Sabah’s future.

“GRS’s victory will give us a stronger voice to fight for the state’s rights and to ensure existing development policies continue. If we fail, the people and this state will lose out,” he said.

He also urged GRS machinery at all levels to dominate the social media arena in countering slander and disseminating accurate information to the public.

“The opposition is spreading lies and propaganda on social media. If they attack with falsehoods, we must strike back with truth and facts,” he said.

He added that every member must become a messenger of accurate, respectful, and fact-based information to counter accusations and slander from the opposition.

“Do not let Sabah fall back into the hands of those who failed to govern, who lack clear direction, and who only play politics out of revenge and personal interest.

“The 17th State Election is not just a battle on the ground but also in the digital arena. Social media is the main battlefield shaping public perception. GRS’s victory will depend greatly on how well we can master this space with clear, swift, and effective messaging,” he stressed.

Hajiji said if GRS’s machinery unites, acts swiftly, and creatively uses social media as its main communication tool, no opposition propaganda will be able to shake the people’s confidence in GRS.

He affirmed that GRS’s fighting spirit will not waver even in the face of great challenges.

“We will climb the highest mountains and swim across the deepest seas! Our house, we protect, if not us, then who?” he said. — The Borneo Post

 Malay Mail – Malaysia