Elected reps must be close to the people, says Hajiji

Hajiji Noor says positions should not stop leaders from helping the people.

KOTA KINABALU: Hajiji Noor, 65, is a household name in Sabah, especially in the Sulaman constituency, known for being a leader who keeps his cool and is always ready with a smile.

His modest and gentle demeanour makes Hajiji, a Tuaran native of Bajau Sama ethnicity, approachable and easy to talk to.

Despite being among the top leaders in Sabah, Hajiji says he never let the positions he held stop him from being close to the people, especially in Sulaman, a seat he has held since 1990.

“The most important thing is for the elected representative to serve the people. Whatever problems the people face should be brought before the government.

“We must help the people. Let us not be arrogant when we have become elected representatives or ministers; instead, we focus our attention on defending the fate of the people,” he said in an interview.

“We also need to always think about what is best for the future of the people, including bringing progress and development and providing basic amenities to them.”

Hajiji said assemblymen should work towards establishing cooperation and fostering unity among the people of various races, religious backgrounds and political ideologies.

He said elected representatives should also deliver assistance to the people, including those who did not vote for them.

“We must always be with the people. Listen to their problems. When they invite me to their events, I will attend … like we are a family. We must be sincere in serving the people. Let us not change when we have been made representatives or ministers,” he said.

Hajiji, who is the Sabah PPBM chief, said this has been his principle since he was first elected assemblyman in Sulaman at the age of 34.

“People always come to see me (at home) until midnight, even in the morning. Some come to ask for endorsements and all sorts of things … we have to take action.

“They understand that not everything can be done, but if we are on good terms with the people, Insya Allah, they will support and be loyal (to us),” he said.

In the 2018 general election, Hajiji garnered 12,966 votes to defeat Abdullah Sani Daud of Warisan, who obtained 5,192 votes, and Arifin Harith of Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (PHRS), who received 467 votes.

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