KUCHING – Sarawak should emulate Sabah and propose to limit the tenure of its premier to two terms, said Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDSB) and Sarawak People’s Aspiration Party (Aspirasi).
In supporting the proposal by the Sabah government to limit the tenure of the chief minister to two terms, the presidents of both parties, Bobby William and Lina Soo, believed that the move should also be initiated in Sarawak.
“PBDSB concurres with this idea from Sabah. (Being) too long (in power) can lead to corruption and abuse of power. Two terms is ideal,” Bobby said when contacted.
Soo, when contacted, also said the party would offer absolute agreement if Sarawak makes a similar move to limit the term of the head of government.
“Every state (in Malaysia) should have it in their respective constitution,” she added.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor had said in Kota Kinabalu yesterday that the state cabinet had, in principle, approved the proposal to limit the tenure of the chief minister to two terms.
The proposal, Hajiji said, will be brought to the next Sabah assembly meeting, if the public and all members of the assembly agree to amend the state constitution on the matter.
Meanwhile, Bobby said the appointment of a chief minister or premier should not be based on which party holds the majority of seats in the state assembly.
“Currently, the Sarawak assembly is being controlled by PBB (Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu). This is a monopoly. Small parties in the coalition just make up the quorum,” he added. – Borneo Post Online, September 25, 2022
