KOTA KINABALU – Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor has reserved his views on the call to make former chief minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan Sabah’s next head of state, as voices wanting the Kadazandusun elder to take on the post gain traction.
Hajiji, the current chief minister, simply said “no comment” when approached by reporters in Kuala Penyu during the launch of the Rumah Mesra SMJ today, while a local activist and a politician supported the recommendation.
The appointment of the state governor is made by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong after consulting the chief minister.
Kitingan’s name was earlier recommended by the Kadazandusun Cultural Association, the main Kadazandusun Murut association in the state, which noted that the term of the present governor is almost up.
Sabah activist Kanol Gindol said the state should consider the association’s proposal, as Kitingan has all the qualities to be a popular and well-loved governor, with a fair and humble personality.
Kitingan, 82, was the Sabah chief minister from 1985 to 1992, and MP for Keningau from 1986 to 2018. He was the founding president of Parti Bersatu Sabah.
“Kitingan has all the characteristics to be a popular and well-loved governor, being of a fair and humble personality, and also a respectable head within Sabah’s multi-racial society,” Gindol said.
Politician Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau said that he personally also supports having Kitingan as governor.
“He (Kitingan) is qualified to hold the position,” said Tangau, stressing that this is his personal view.
Tangau had incidentally earlier today announced that he is stepping down as president of United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation.
Meanwhile, a Sabah lawyer said it is legally possible for a non-Muslim to be made the head of state.
According to Roger Chin, Article 2 of the Sabah constitution provides for the recommendations.
For instance he said, Article 2(1) states that non-Malaysians and naturalised citizens cannot be the Yang di-Pertua Negeri.
Article 2(2) meanwhile states that the head of state should not hold any office of profit and actively engage in any commercial enterprise.
"These are the only two criteria set in the state constitution,” he said.
“According to Article 1(2) of the Sabah constitution, there shall be a Sabah Tuan Yang Terutama (governor) who is appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong after consultation with the chief minister.
"Every governor is appointed for a term of four years,” he noted. – The Vibes, September 28, 2022
