Accept call for power-sharing, says UPKO

KOTA KINABALU: Other Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties should accept in good spirit the move by Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) to renew its call for BN to review its power-sharing formula, said United Pasokmomogun Kadazan Dusun Murut Organization’s (UPKO) treasurer general Datuk Marcus Mojigoh.

The Putatan member of parliament also said BN component parties should be willing to discuss the matter openly and not simply muffle the issue from public attention.

“I agree with Dr Max. This is what the spirit of BN is all about. If a component party says something, the others must not be too sensitive,” he said yesterday when commenting on the latest call made by PBS deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili.

Maximus, who is Kota Marudu member of parliemtn, said on Sunday that the concept of power-sharing in the state BN should be practised in reality instead of just being a rhetoric or concept.

He stressed the BN leadership needed to improve the formula for power-sharing among the BN component parties as this was important for the sake of the coalition’s strength in governing Sabah.

Mojigoh, in expressing support to Maximus’ call, said BN should face the issue head-on and avoid being in denial because the people would know it.

He added that talking in a proper internal forum sometimes does not work because the BN component parties seldom meet.

Maximus, who is also Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister, said many supporters and members of PBS were dissatisfied as they felt the party was being sidelined in decision-making and division of power, despite having the post of Deputy Chief Minister.

He had also pointed out that the appointment of CDLs (Community Development Leaders) had not taken place in some areas where the BN component parties lost to the opposition, even almost two years after the general election.

Mojigoh said such problem, however, did not exist in his constituency, especially in Petagas where he and assemblyman Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin work together with good understanding and cooperation.

“I don’t see much problem. Appointment of JKKK and ketua kampung is the prerogative of the assemblyman and the MP is not normally consulted. But in Petagas, Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin still gives me space to propose my candidates, including from among members of PBS.

“In my own kampung, for example, I propose names from PBS for JKKK and kKetua kampung. But this is not the case in Tanjung Aru where all the names I recommended were rejected. Sad but what can I do. The assemblyman for the area doesn’t need UPKO people,” he said.