Warisan moots governance reforms as Sabah polls near

 

Warisan secretary-general Loretto Padua Jr recently proposed three government reforms to the Sabah government if the party were elected into power, with the party’s Inanam division expressing support for them.

These were setting up an ombudsman's office, having the National Audit Department probe problematic state government agencies and GLCs, and presenting a cabinet white paper regarding the problematic bodies.

In a statement posted on Facebook, Inanam Warisan said the suggestions were not new and the party had been discussing them since 2023.

"We reject the old administration system that has caused Sabah to be riddled with corruption and abuse of power, and choose a fresh method of governance with quality," the statement said.

"These measures can help address abuse of power by Little Napoleons, curb corruption, and irresponsibility by those given the mandate to administer the state, from the top of the state government to village posts.

"GLCs and state agencies are funded by taxpayers' money, and this can help them achieve a level of performance that we can be proud of," they added.

The division also said that this will allow the people to openly evaluate Warisan's performance if it were the government, unlike GRS, which failed to walk the talk.

The party said that a Sabahan, former Chief Justice Richard Malanjum, has been appointed a UN ombudsman, underscoring that the system is ready to be implemented in Sabah.

The Sabah state election is expected to be held later this year.

This is against the backdrop of corruption against state government leaders, including Chief Minister Hajiji Noor.

Hajiji had consistently denied the claims of bribery for mining prospecting licences, saying they are efforts to destabilise the state administration ahead of the election. - Mkini