‘I would have been happy just being a govt officer’
Hajiji Noor says it is God’s will he is holding an important position.
KOTA KINABALU: Hajiji Noor has been a household name in Sabah since his foray into the state’s political arena 30 years ago.
Born in Kampung Serusup, Tuaran, it had never crossed his mind to enter politics and become an elected representative for he was more comfortable being a government officer.
“Never have I thought or had the ambition to be a politician. I was content being a government officer, but this is God’s will,” he told Bernama.
Among the top positions he held in the Sabah government were as local government and housing minister and as assistant minister in various ministries such as arts, youth and sports, finance, and the Chief Minister’s Department.
Hajiji, 65, was in his 30s when he entered politics and was active in championing local issues using the United Sabah National Organisation (Usno) platform. He was fielded as a candidate for the Sulaman constituency in 1990, where he won with a majority of 281 votes.
Hajiji, who graduated in politics from the University of New Hampshire in the US, then forged his political path with Umno starting in 1993. He has held the same seat for seven terms under Umno and PPBM.
He has held several positions in the two parties, such as the divison head for Tuaran Umno, Sabah Umno chairman, and currently Sabah PPBM chief and Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman.
In the 14th general election, Hajiji obtained 12,966 votes ahead of Abdullah Sani Daud of Warisan (5,192) and Arifin Harith of Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (467).
Hajiji’s charisma, leadership and friendly personality and commitment in discharging his duties continued to win the constituents’ hearts in Saturday’s election when he garnered 5,919 votes in a three-cornered fight, beating his nephew Aliasgar Basri of Warisan, who obtained 2,820 votes, and Parti Cinta Sabah’s Rekan Hussien, who won 253 votes.
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Married to Juliah Salag, they have four children and 12 grandchildren.