After a long time, the DUN will see just over 20% of its seats occupied by the opposition – peninsular-based Pakatan Rakyat and local boy Sabah State Reform Party (STAR).
Pakatan’s PKR and DAP won 12 seats while STAR took away one from Barisan Nasional. In the 2008 general election BN only lost one seat to DAP.
As of yesterday, when the 60 took their oath before the Speaker Salleh Said Keruak, there was still no news on who it will be.
Speculations are however rife that it will be either Klias assemblyman Lajim Ukin or Tamparuli representative Wilfred Bumburing.
Both are not actual PKR members but stood on the party ticket in the May 5 general elections.
Lajim and Bumburing have their own respective political platforms – PPPS and APS – which are awaiting registration.
Both of them quit Umno and Upko respectively last July and threw their contentious support behind PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.
The Sabah Pakatan opposition bloc is however divided over Lajim and Bumburing.
Lajim had told reporters that the opposition representatives will be meeting soon to decide on who will lead the “team” in the august house.
“The opposition block will be meeting again and we will submit a name by Monday,” he said.
When pushed further about rumours that PKR wanted him to lead, Lajim said: “Yes, they have asked me.
“If I have everyone’s vote and given the opportunity, then I will accept the responsibility.”
Lajim, who was once a Sabah deputy chief minister, said the opposition bloc would closely monitor the the government’s actions.
“We will speak for the people and point out any weaknesses,” he said.
Meanwhile Salleh when asked about the increased opposition voice in DUN said it “won’t make a difference”.
“I believe there will be a healthy debate among all members of the House and they are free to share their views as long as it is conducted professionally based on the Standing Order,” he said.
Asked about the “unprecedented” position of Opposition Leader, Salleh said it was not a procedural matter and was based on ‘conventional selection’.
“If they (opposition reps) want to do so, they are free to submit a proposal to us and action will be taken according to their terms.
“But to date, they have yet to submit anything to us,” he said.
FMT
Dr M wants gov't to take hard line against opposition
ReplyDeleteFormer prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has urged the government to no longer be soft towards the opposition who continue to insult the nation's democratic system.
"We need to be a bit tough and not give them face," he told reporters after attending a dinner in conjunction with Langkawi International Dialogue (LID) 2013 in KL yesterday.
He said the opposition who wanted to recognise the people's choice changed overnight when they failed to get majority support in the 13th general election (GE13).
ReplyDelete"Initially, they wanted to recognise the people's choice but now they want to topple the government. They reject the democratic system and opt for street demonstrations."
LID 2013 which began since Sunday, was participated by six countries - Namibia, Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, Lesotho and Botswana.
In his speech entitled ‘Transforming A Nation: The Malaysian Experience’, Dr Mahathir said proper implementation and coordination by the government benefited the people and the nation's economy.
Initiatives undertaken by the Economy Planning Unit (EPU) and the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) had enhanced Malaysia's competitiveness and economic opportunities.
ReplyDelete"During my time, I instructed all the ministers to go to the ground to make sure all the planning were done accordingly," said Dr Mahathir.
Government strategies include providing incentives to local companies and tax free holiday to investors to encourage more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
"When we (Malaysia) have more inflow in FDI, the employment rate increases. The FDI also stimulates our economy," he added.
- Bernama