KOTA KINABALU :Warisan president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal’s recent accusation that Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Noor is a “snake oil seller” says more about Warisan’s political desperation than about GRS’s governance.
According to Gagasan Rakyat information chief Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan, such rhetoric is an attempt to distract from Warisan’s own record in government that is a record of unfulfilled promises and stalled progress that remains fresh in the public’s mind.
“Shafie may say what he likes, but the people can clearly tell who merely sold promises and who has been quietly delivering progress,” said Nizam.
He added that the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Development Plan is not an empty slogan but a structured and results-driven framework that has already produced visible outcomes across key sectors.
Under Hajiji’s leadership, Sabah’s revenue reached nearly RM7 billion in 2024, bolstered by fiscal reforms and tighter financial management. Meanwhile, the state attracted RM11.37 billion in investments between January and June 2025 alone.
On the persistent water issue ,which Warisan continues to politicise , Nizam said the GRS government has taken a long-term, structural approach. Eighteen major water projects are underway statewide, including the Tawau Water Dam, Kogopon 2 Water Treatment Plant in Papar, and the Kabang Intake Upgrade Project, all scheduled for completion next year.
“These are not quick fixes or one-year promises. These are projects designed to ensure sustainable water supply for future generations,” he said, noting that upgrades include new dams, expanded treatment plants, and modernised distribution systems that had been neglected for decades.
The SMJ Plan also focuses on rural connectivity and housing, with road upgrades opening access to interior regions and over 7,000 homes delivered under the Rumah Mesra SMJ programme. Additionally, the SMJ Cash Assistance Scheme continues to ease the burden on low-income households.
Nizam stressed that these initiatives are not political gimmicks but the outcome of sound planning and disciplined governance.
“GRS is not selling miracle cures . We are healing the damage left behind by a failed administration,” he said. “Under Hajiji’s steady leadership, Sabah is moving forward quietly and effectively, guided by facts and results, not slogans or theatrics.”
He concluded that Sabahans no longer have patience for empty promises.
“The people want a government that delivers, not one that merely talks. That is the difference between GRS and Warisan , between genuine progress and political showmanship.”
— ENDS