Kota Kinabalu: A Bill to limit the office of the Chief Minister to a maximum of two terms is scheduled to be tabled at the coming State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting, said Lumadan PGRS Division Chief Datuk Mazlan Joehari Manan.
He said it is expected to bring renewal and political leadership transformation in Sabah, besides further strengthening the foundations of democracy in Sabah in the future.
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The Bill — one of the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) manifesto pledges during the recent 17th State Election — is also expected to create political transformation and produce fresher leadership with new development ideas.
“This Bill has already been discussed and approved by the Sabah Cabinet and will be tabled at the next sitting as one of the initiatives to strengthen Sabah’s leadership in the future.
“At the same time, it can prevent the abuse of power by any Chief Minister, particularly in relation to nepotism and cronyism if one remains in power for too long.
“Furthermore, it can prevent the concentration of power in the hands of a single individual who holds the position of Chief Minister for an extended period,” he said, Tuesday.
Mazlan, who is also Special Officer to the Chief Minister, said if the Bill secures a two-thirds majority approval in the DUN, it would help prevent the concept of leaders remaining in power indefinitely.
At the same time, it would create more space and opportunities for new leaders with fresher ideas, rather than relying on the thinking of a leader who has been in power for too long.
“A Chief Minister bound by a fixed term will reduce political survivalism and instead focus more on performance and accelerating the implementation of high-impact policies.
“This is the effort being pursued by the Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor, to ensure Sabah continues to move forward under a new and more dynamic leadership,” he stressed.
For the record, present Governor Tun Musa Aman lasted the longest in office as Chief Minister, almost 15 years. Three CMs served nine years, i.e Tun Mustapha (Usno), Tan Sri Harris Salleh (Berjaya) and Tan Sri Pairin Kitingan (PBS).
During the rotation system several held office for two years, namely Datuk seri Yong Teck Lee (SAPP), Datuk Osu Sukam (Umno) and Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat (LDP).
Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak and Tan Sri Sakaran Dandai (both Umno) served a year while Tan Sri Bernard Dompok (Upko) nine months.
There were two appointed CMs before the first State election, namely Donald (later Tun Fuad) Stephens (for 18 months from 1963) and Tan Sri Peter Lo (from 1965-67).
Stephens stood for elections and won in 1976 but died in the Nomad crash within two months.
