Kuala lumpur: Close cooperation between local and national political parties is crucial to ensuring the continuity of development in Sabah after the ongoing 17th state election, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said. He highlighted the significant progress achieved in the state under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) administration, together with Pakatan Harapan (PH).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar stated the importance of collaboration, emphasizing that without cooperation, development cannot move forward. “Do not be arrogant. What we reject are those who are bad, want to steal people’s money, and are lazy. If they are good and hardworking, we support them. Look at their track record. If I did nothing, problems relating to roads and water would not be resolved,” he remarked during the Harapan Urang Sabah meet-and-greet session with the Melalap community at Dewan Datuk OKK Sanggau Jalang.

Also present at the event was PH candidate for the Melalap state seat, Datuk Jamawi Jaafar. Anwar, who is also PH chairman, emphasized that a PH victory in the polls is vital to ensure strong and continued cooperation between the state and federal governments. “PH is not contesting to grab the Chief Minister’s post. We are contesting because we want to maintain existing policies and work together with the state government. We want to develop Sabah, that is what is important.”

The Prime Minister further elaborated on the necessity of supporting the ruling parties, citing unresolved issues such as water problems, potholed roads, and electricity supply issues. “We want good relations between the state and federal governments so that these problems can be resolved quickly,” he added.

Jamawi, a PKR candidate contesting under the PH banner, is in a seven-cornered fight in Melalap, which falls under the Tenom parliamentary constituency, located about 140 kilometres from Kota Kinabalu. Polling is fixed for Nov 29, with early voting scheduled for Nov 25.