Bersih Sabah concerned over continuing ‘trend’

KOTA KINABALU: Bersih Sabah has expressed concern over the turn of political events in Sabah after the 14th general election.

It is concerned about Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal assuming the Minister of Finance portfolio, which is exactly what the Barisan Nasional government had practised in the past, with Tan Sri Musa Aman as the Chief Minister of Sabah and Finance Minister, and Datuk Seri Najib Razak as the Prime Minister and Finance Minister.

Bersih Sabah pointed out that in the 14th general election, Sabahans had loudly said they wanted to ‘ubah’.

“It is distressing to note the same trend being continued.

“History has taught us to be more vigilant and cautious, if not suspicious, of too much power in one’s hands,” it said in a statement yesterday.

“Though it is not in Warisan’s manifesto, the commitment to reform and practise good governance should be the priority. We respect the Chief Minister’s prerogative to construct his cabinet but it should be based on good governance principle such as Chief Minister not holding a critical post as the Minister of Finance. This is the reform that the rakyat wanted to see so as to ensure corruption could be curbed.

“Nonetheless, we are willing to give the new state government, and Shafie Apdal particularly, the benefit of the doubt because they have five years to prove themselves.

“Rome was not built in a day. Malaysians have shown that the rakyat’s voice is powerful. We hope the ‘teething’ problem can be overcome soon,” it said.

In the meantime, Bersih Sabah said it would continue to keep an eye on the government as well as the opposition. The new state government’s focus should be based on the need for decentralisation of power and accountability, as the rakyat would expect improved transparency and credibility.”