GRS chairman Hajiji Noor said the elections formed a golden opportunity for the people to choose a government based on local aspirations. (Bernama pic)PETALING JAYA: Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor has urged Sabahans to exercise wisdom when encountering unverified claims making the rounds on social media, especially with Sabah鈥檚 17th state assembly elections set to take place this year.Hajiji said there have been many untruths being spread on various social media platforms ahead of the state polls, adding that Sabahans must not be influenced by such unverified claims.鈥淒o not make the wrong choice; the present state government has made many achievements in developing Sabah through strategic planning in education, tourism and collaboration with Petronas to get more revenue for the state.鈥淭he coming state elections will be a major challenge but also a golden opportunity for the people to choose a government that is not only sensitive to the needs of the people but one that is also based on local aspirations,鈥 he said in a statement.Hajiji said the state government led by Gabungan Rakyat Sabah had disbursed a lot of assistance to Sabahan students, including those studying in West Malaysia, especially to help them return to their hometowns during major festivals.The GRS chairman also said his government has overseen an influx of foreign investments that has led to the Sabah Oil and Gas Industrial Park in Sipitang being fully occupied.鈥淭he latest is a Singapore-based company, which is bringing in RM19.5 billion in total investments over three phases. In the first phase alone, the project would create some 8,000 jobs. This is our aspiration, to create jobs for the people of Sabah,鈥 he added.Sabah Barisan Nasional and Warisan have ramped up its criticism of the GRS-led state government in the past year, with an alleged mining scandal among the biggest issues being constantly raised by assemblymen.BN and Pakatan Harapan previously announced a pact for the state polls while talks for an alliance between PH and GRS are said to be ongoing.While BN has not fully closed the door on an alliance with GRS, state BN chairman Bung Moktar Radin previously said Sabah BN would only consider teaming up with GRS after the state polls are over.Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is also PH chairman, has called for all three major coalitions to join forces for the state assembly elections. The state assembly鈥檚 term ends in November and elections must be held within 60 days of the assembly being dissolved.