PUTATAN: The Perikatan Nasional (PN)-led Federal Government should consider two Deputy Prime Minister posts each for Sabah and Sarawak which it had vacated and set a precedent, said former Putatan MP Datuk Dr Marcus M. Mojigoh (pic).
Doing so would appease the voices of Sabahans and Sarawakians who are unhappy with the current political scenario, including about how the present Federal Government was formed.
He said he is certain that people in both states would be pleased with such high post in the Federal Cabinet to convey and address their needs, issues, rights and interests.
“There is no need for appointing a DPM post for the peninsula as the Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin himself is already sufficient to handle and address any affairs concerning them.
Mojigoh who was Upko’s Vice-President cum Treasurer-General said this during a fellowship with some professionals at his residence Saturday night.
He initiated the apolitical discussion on the current political and administrative situation as many are not sure what lies ahead, especially for their future generations.
Therefore, the contribution of ideas and critique from there professionals is very much needed.
He said based on the discussion, the professionals comprising mostly young people want Sabah to be as bold as Sarawak in demanding restoration of Sabah rights under Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
He cited how the Sarawak Government won the case over the five per cent state sales tax on petroleum products from the national oil company on March 13 (Friday).
The High Court dismissed the judicial review application filed by Petronas. Judge Azhahari Kamal Ramli ruled that the Sarawak Government had the power to impose such five per cent state sales tax.
The power of the state to make law for imposing of the sales tax, Azhahari said, derived from Article 95B(3), which provides that “each Borneo state shall have power to impose sales tax, that any discriminatory rates would not be imposed on goods of the same type but of different origin”.
Hence, he was also reported as saying that Article 95B(3) was added by Act 26 of Malaysia Act 1963 to take effect from Sept 16, 1963 which provides that the Legislature of Sabah and Sarawak may also make laws for imposing of sales tax and any sale tax imposed in the State of Sabah and Sarawak shall be deemed to be among the matters enumerated in the State List and not the Federal list.
Hence, Mojigoh said the rakyat want Sabah leaders to be like Sarawak’s Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg who is adamant and committed in fighting for Sarawak’s rights and claiming them from the Federal Government.
He also called on elected people representatives in Sabah to focus on reaching out to the people and grassroots in their respective seats as there is a need for them to give top priority to the rakyat’s needs and problems.
The former Putatan MP for four terms also said there are ‘wakil rakyat’ who are new being assemblymen and Member of Parliament do not know how to bring themselves closer to their grassroots.
He claimed some were arrogant greenhorns who do not know to play their roles right and how they should act when meeting or even shaking hands with the people, or in other words, unaware of the ethics.
“I really hope our ‘wakil rakyat’ generally, in Sabah change their bad habits like discourteous and impolite towards people in their respective seats.
“For example, the ‘wakil rakyat’ should place the palm of the right hand on their left chest after shaking hands with the grassroots to show their respect and appreciation to the people who wish to see and meet them.
“By doing so, the people would be pleased and like the ‘wakil rakyat’ for respecting and appreciating them. Also, they must not be snobbish and always be humble when meeting the people,” Mojigoh said.
He also called on them to make sure they allocate time and place such as once a week like how the late Chief Minister Tun Said Keruak did before during his time.
He said he did the same initiative which he held at the Tamu ground in Putatan every week to provide an outlet for the people in the district to channel their complaints, needs and various issues.
Mojigoh also proposed that the government oblige all the elected people representatives in Sabah to take part in a seminar that would educate them on how to be a respectable and humble ‘wakil rakyat’ as well as telling them on the do’s and don’ts.
He said the elected people representatives should not sent their representatives or private secretaries to functions that involve big crowds in their respective area as they must attend because it’s the people in their constituency who voted him or her to represent them in the State Assembly or Parliament.
