Hajiji has won praises from people — LDP

KOTA KINABALU: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) deputy chairman Sim Fui yesterday voiced his agreement to the proposal that Sabah’s Chief Minister serves no more than two terms.

Sim Fui in a statement said that if the proposal by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor is passed by the State Assembly, it would pave the way for a fair and enlightened image of the government in the hearts of the people.

Sim Fui was of the opinion that when the rotation system of Sabah’s Chief Minister was abolished, the move had more or less caused voter protests and the sentiment of unhappiness as well as dissatisfaction among the rakyat started to rise.

He also was of the opinion that Hajiji, with the proposal, had won unanimous praises from the people and that this approach reflected the latter’s concern for the well-being of the rakyat in Sabah.

“Limiting the term of office of the chief executive to two terms will not only avoid monopoly and corruption problems, but more importantly, it will allow voters to assess the working performance of the leader while he is in office.

“Therefore, this is a way to ensure that the state cabinet strictly adheres to its responsibilities, strives for greater welfare for the people, and actively promotes reforms in Sabah,” he said, adding that should the rakyat feel that the person failed to carry out his duties, they can make the change in the state election.

Sim Fui also hopes that the State Assembly will also pass the Anti-party Hopping Law for the state because he believes that if the Chief Minister’s tenure proposal and the Antiparty Hopping Law are passed and implemented, it will be an important step to restore voter confidence and increase voter turnout.

“The ‘frog’ politicians who have repeatedly appeared before and after the state and general elections have already caused voters to give up their votes as they do not want to see those elected turn against each other after they cast their votes. This kind of selfish attitude that goes against the principle, although it is deeply ingrained, can be completely eradicated through the Anti-party Hopping Law,” he said.

To this end, he believes that if both can be passed and implemented before the 15th general election, it will be the key to raising the hopes of the voters for a better future.

Limiting the term of office of the chief executive to two terms will not only avoid monopoly and corruption problems, but more importantly, it will allow voters to assess the working performance of the leader while he is in office.

Sim Fui, LDP deputy chairman