2 terms enough for Sabah governor or tongues will wag, says PBS leader

PBS information chief and Kiulu rep Joniston Bangkuai.

KOTA KINABALU: PBS information chief Joniston Bangkuai says the two-term limit on the Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negeri should remain as it is to give other state leaders an opportunity to serve in that role.

He said two terms were more than sufficient and that this approach would enable distinguished leaders and personalities to be the head of state and contribute to the development of Sabah.

“The current Yang di-Pertua Negeri has already served two terms, the limit imposed by law, and nothing will be served by having the same candidate in office.

“What’s wrong with the existing provision? Will extending the term of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri do any extra good for the people?

“Constitutional amendments must always serve to benefit the people and not to benefit certain parties only,” said the Kiulu assemblyman.

Bangkuai was commenting on speculation that the state assembly is scheduled to convene a special sitting this Thursday to, among others, amend the state constitution to extend the term of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri.

He said even the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s tenure was subject to one term.

He said there appeared to be a hidden agenda behind the alleged proposed amendments to the constitution.

“In fact, if the Yang di-Pertua Negeri’s term is not limited by law, the office will emerge as a de facto sultanship of sorts as in the sultanates in Malaya.

“We should take note of sentiments on the ground in Sabah. Hopefully, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong will not go along with any extension on the Yang di-Pertua Negeri’s term.”

Bangkuai added that there had been controversies after the May 9 polls which saw two chief ministers sworn in within a space of 48 hours on May 10 and 12.

“Questions are being raised about the sanctity of the Sabah constitution.

“The facts, given the timeline of events in Sabah from May 9 to 12 and beyond, speak for themselves. They were and are detrimental to parliamentary democracy.”

Bangkuai said Sabahans should be connecting the dots since May 12, when the initial state government was ousted. He said the people should also be alarmed that the present government “has embarked on a peculiar direction which has raised eyebrows”.

He said the state government in its supplementary supply budget in August had added an unprecedented RM1.3 million for the Yang di-Pertua Negeri and entourage to perform the haj pilgrimage.

“This comes from a state government which complained that the previous administration left the state coffers virtually empty, indeed even bankrupt, and that financial reserves were non-existent,” he added. -FMT