Who will be the Sabah opposition CM?

Sabah BN secretary Abdul Rahman Dahlan has given the opposition one month to announce who their chief minister will be.

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Barisan Nasional has thrown the opposition,namely Pakatan Rakyat, a challenge – “announce your shadow cabinet within a month”.

Aware that this will be a singularly impossible immediate feat for Sabah Pakatan which is grappling with seething resentment over newcomers – defectors from BN – flexing their muscles, Sabah BN secretary Abdul Rahman Dahlan said that Sabahans had the right to know who will be the state’s chief minister if the opposition came into power.

“We’re giving them a month, ample time for their members to meet and discuss who should be made chief minister.

“We’re fair, we don’t  expect them to come up with the shadow cabinet line-up tomorrow or the day after,” he said.

Abdul Rahman added that announcing their shadow cabinet would also reflect on the opposition’s sincerity in supporting a two-party system.

“In the west under the two-party concept, opposition parties must announce their shadow cabinet before the election so voters would be able to judge their experience, credibility and effectiveness in the cabinet.

“Such act is also in line with the democratic process as the people will be able to know the candidates’ backgrounds, track record and experience.

“The people would then be able to judge for themselves the leaders’ abilities and experiences,” said Abdul Rahman

He was speaking to reporters during a joint press conference here yesterday.

Also present were Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) secretary-general Dr Henrynus Amin, United Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) secretary-general  Wilfred Madius Tangau; Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) secretary-general Dr Johnson Tee, Liberal Democratic Party secretary-general Teo Chee Kang, Parti Gerakan Sabah liaison secretary Wong Choon Seng, MCA Sabah liaison secretary Goh Wak Kheng and MIC Sabah liaison secretary Gannes Nandy.

According to Abdul Rahman, the current conflicting statements from opposition leaders about candidates for ministerial posts were confusing Sabahans.

“Currently opposition leaders are issuing conflicting statement on who should be picked to fill in the ministerial posts.

“Their supporters from Beaufort, Tuaran, Sandakan and here are claiming they have potential candidates from the respective areas to be the next chief minister if they win the coming general election.

“Therefore, we would like to know who really are in the line-up,” he said alluding to the recent series of speculative reports involving defactors Lajim Ukin, Wilfred Bumburing and Maijol Manaf and Yahya Lampong.