GABUNGAN Rakyat Sabah (GRS) has reaffirmed its commitment to reforming state governance by introducing a two-term limit for the Chief Minister’s tenure, if it secures victory in the forthcoming state election.
Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, Deputy Secretary-General of GRS, stated that the proposed reform would be a central element of the coalition’s manifesto under the Sabah United pillar. The pillar not only champions public unity but also seeks to reinforce the principles of transparent and accountable governance.
"This commitment was agreed upon during the Sabah State Cabinet meeting in December 2023. We decided to limit the tenure of a Chief Minister to only two consecutive terms," Bernama cited Armizan, who is also Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living saying.
"However, because we did not hold a two-thirds majority at that time, the decision was made to bring the constitutional amendment to the State Legislative Assembly only after receiving a renewed mandate from the people."
Speaking to reporters after officiating the Commercial Screening of the Short Film *Sabah* and the premiere of *Impak Maksima 2* in Benoni on Wednesday, the Papar MP explained that GRS is currently drafting the relevant Bill. It will be tabled in the assembly once the coalition secures the necessary two-thirds majority in the upcoming election.
"We hope the people of Sabah will stand with us and give GRS the space to act. We need a strong win — beyond a two-thirds majority — to pass the constitutional amendment.
"If there is a talented individual who retains public support, they may return after sitting out a term. But what’s critical is that the two terms must be consecutive," he added.
Armizan further emphasised that GRS is taking the lead on state-level administrative reform, ahead of similar proposals being discussed at the federal level.
"I want to highlight that we had already agreed on this back in December 2023, and GRS is committed to carrying out these reforms," he said.
He explained that the term-limit policy would form part of GRS’s broader manifesto, which is currently being developed in consultation with its component parties.
Each party has been asked to contribute input aligned with the coalition’s four core pillars: Sabah First, Sabah Forward, Sabah Prosper, and Sabah United, before the final document is presented to the GRS Supreme Council. - July 17, 2025
