TUARAN, Aug. 22 -- Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor yesterday announced that the upcoming 17th state election will be the final one of his political career.

The 70-year-old, who has served as an elected representative for 35 years, made the emotional declaration during the launch of the SK Bundung Hall in Tuaran yesterday.

Hajiji, who is the chairman of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and president of Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan), revealed that he had already informed his constituents in Sulaman of his decision.

"Otherwise, I am actually very tired of politics. I am old already, although my heart is still 'young'. Half of my life, I have been an elected representative for 35 years. I am now 70 years old," he stated.

The seaso...