SABAH REMOVES TERM LIMITS FOR GOVERNOR

Amendment needed to protect Yang di-Pertua Negeri, says Shafie

THE Sabah Legislative Assembly passed an amendment to the state’s constitution to remove term limits for the Yang di-Pertua Negeri during a special sitting yesterday.

The amendment was approved with 46 assemblymen for and 14 against during voting for the second and third readings of the bill.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said the palace institution was a significant symbol and it was time to make an amendment to protect the head of state.

“If inappropriate laws are not amended, there will be incidents like the Yang di-Pertua Negeri becoming a target after a general election. It is also not just to honour the Malaysia Agreement 1963, but it is important to appoint someone with merit, and not just based on race.

“There will also be amendments next year on the powers and limits of the head of state for political stability in Sabah,” he said, adding that the amendment had nothing to do with discussions between him and Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin.

Shafie said the amendment did not mean that one would permanently be the head of state.

Jamawi Jaafar (IndependentKemabong) and Datuk Abidin Madingkir (Upko-Paginatan) said that the amendment honoured the 1963 agreement by reverting to its original content of unlimited terms for head of state.

Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan (Star-Tambunan) said the bill was unnecessary as it did not benefit the people.

He called for the restoration of the Yang di-Pertua Negara title, similar to the one in the early years of Malaysia.