KOTA KINABALU – Sabah cannot afford a political crisis amid realising its long-standing state rights, said Upko former president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau.
He added that those who were behind last week’s political challenge, whatever their justifications might be, should allow the current state government to serve out its term until 2025.
This was in reference to claims by Warisan and Barisan Nasional (BN) that Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor had lost his legitimacy as chief minister after resigning from Bersatu on December 10 last year.
They cited Article 6 (7) of the state constitution as the basis of their arguments which states that a Sabah chief minister must come from a political party.
“It is too technical for me to look up (whether there was a constitutional breach). But regardless of what has been claimed, we (PH) acted based on our principles and that is not to allow for the establishment of a ‘backdoor’ government.
“Anyway, it’s only two years until the next state election. Those interested in being in the driver’s seat can try to win in the next election.
“They can do it during the election. But we should allow this government to continue, especially when the federal government is in the position to deliver our state rights,” said Tangau.
He also cited Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement that Sabah and Sarawak will now have full control of development projects under RM50 million as one of the instances that East Malaysia states are regaining their rights.
Tangau said this means that Sabah Public Works Department (PWD) will now be recognised as a technical agency – an authority the department never had as it was addressed in Putrajaya.
Upko, a component part of Pakatan Harapan, is now part of the state government led by GRS following a realignment stemmed from BN’s decision to withdraw its political cooperation.
Water commission in Sabah
On the state’s “Watergate” scandal, Tangau said he will propose to the state government to establish a Sabah water commission to improve the integrity of the state’s controversial water department and services.
He said all eyes are on the state Water Department after allegations were brought up over a systemic kickback scheme benefitting high-powered individuals and several senior officials while the state remains mired in decades-long supply disruption issues.
“This week I will visit the water treatment plant in my constituency with the Tuaran district officer and later meet with state Public Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya to propose the setting up of a water commission.
“I will recommend to Shahelmey to transform the department to a commission to align the state with the federal government such as the National Water Services Commission (SPAN).”
He added that SPAN can instead focus on water supply issues in the peninsula.
Shahelmey had vowed to take action if allegations of a decades-long kickback scheme in the State Water Department turn out to be true.
Former Sabah Water Department deputy director Teo Chee Kong told the special corruption court here that the list of commissions had gone to the director (5%), quantity surveyor (3%), chief water engineer, and accountant (1%) from 1989 until September 2003.
It was allegedly revised by former department director Ag Mohd Tahir Mohd Talib to 10.75%.
Teo was testifying in the trial of former Sabah Water Department director Ag Mohd Tahir Mohd Talib, 58, and his wife, Fauziah Piut, 55 – who are jointly tried with Lim Lam Beng, 66, to 37 counts of money laundering charges, involving cash and bank savings amounting to RM61.57 million, as well as unlawful possession of luxury goods. – The Vibes, January 16, 2023
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