Kuala lumpur: Political stability is essential for the Sabah state government to focus on development, economic prosperity, and infrastructure, said Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Sabah Chief Minister emphasized that unity and close cooperation among GRS component parties are crucial to keeping Sabah on a path of progress and prosperity, despite differences in their backgrounds and political foundations.

"As partners in GRS, we may have different backgrounds and political foundations, but as components of GRS, we stand under the same roof, share the same sky and, more importantly, work for the same Sabah. GRS is our home, a home that we must safeguard together, a home that provides shelter for our shared cause, a cause dedicated to the people and our beloved state," Hajiji stated at the 32nd United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO) anniversary celebration and the opening of the party's 17th Triennial Delegates Conference.

Also present at the event was UPKO president Datuk Ewon Benedick, who is also Sabah Deputy Chief Minister III and Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transportation. Hajiji noted that UPKO's involvement in GRS would help bolster political stability in the state and strengthen cooperation among Sabah's local parties.

He urged all UPKO leaders and members to continue working together to realize the "Sabah First, Sabah United, Sabah Forward and Sabah Prosper" vision. On June 18, GRS agreed to accept UPKO as a new member of the coalition, expanding its membership to include six component parties: Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, Parti Bersatu Sabah, Liberal Democratic Party, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah, and Parti Cinta Sabah.