Ex-Sabah CM lays down 3 keys to stable state govt

 

Salleh Said Keruak says Sabah has over the years developed its own brand of politics based on its unique political history and culture. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

A former Sabah chief minister has called on Umno and Barisan Nasional to recognise and make allowances for the distinct nature of politics in the state.

Salleh Said Keruak said Sabah has over the years developed its own brand of politics based on its unique political history and culture.

The determinant as to who will form the state government depends on three factors: the politics of accommodation, the pursuit of state autonomy, and the ability to bring development to the state.

Salleh, who served as chief minister from 1994 to 1996, said any state government that does not meet these three factors is doomed to fail.

Sabah has changed its government very frequently – almost as often as we change our shirts, as Sabahans like to say,

 he told FMT.

As a result, Salleh said Sabah has held 16 state elections since 1967 and seen 14 different former chief ministers.

He said in order to be successful, the state government must strike a delicate balance between the three largest segments in Sabah society – the Muslim and non-Muslim Bumiputeras, and the Chinese community.

Striking the correct balance is paramount to ensure the government’s stability. This is where the politics of accommodation plays its part. If we fail, the government will collapse,

 he said.

Salleh said the state government is also expected to pursue the Sabah people’s desire for greater political autonomy.

That is why all component parties in the state government must be on the same page when it comes to seeking political autonomy from the federal government,

 he said.

At the same time, the Sabah government is also expected to bring development to the state, he added.

Salleh said it was important for Sabah BN and Sabah Umno to be given the latitude to forge their own course at state level, adding that there is no one-size-fits-all formula that can be applied both at federal and state level.

We will pick our partners based on these three factors. All parties in the state government have to be heading in the same direction and must agree on policies.

Earlier this month it was reported that a request by Sabah Umno for autonomy in choosing its allies to contest the next state election had been denied by the party’s central leadership.

Explaining the decision, Sabah Umno deputy chief Abdul Rahman Dahlan said the party wanted to avoid 

awkward situations

 regarding its policies.

The central leadership also wanted to ensure that decisions made by the states were in line with its stance, he said, adding that 

synchronising our policies

 would become 

complicated

 if Umno chapters adopted different positions.

In December, Warisan president Shafie Apdal said his party would work together with Sabah Umno in the next state election.

However, in March, Sabah Umno information chief Suhaimi Nasir said it was still exploring the possibility of going solo in the next state election. - FMT