KOTA KINABALU: The issue of the appointment of community development leader is the result of changes made on several occasions.
Sabah Umno liaison deputy chief Datuk Seri Panglima Salleh Tun Said said this included changes made by the Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties to the list of names submitted to the state BN leadership.
He said Umno had no problem with the appointment of community development leader in areas where BN had lost to the opposition in the last election.
“It is not right to say that appointment of community development leaders has not taken place in opposition-held areas. Community development leaders were appointed much earlier on in Sri Tanjong and Tamparuli where BN lost, and both these leaders are from PBS,” he said.
Salleh was responding to the statement by Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) deputy president Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Maximus Ongkili who said the concept of power sharing in the state BN should be practised in reality instead of just being a rhetoric or concept.
Dr Maximus who is also Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister, said PBS wanted the state BN leadership to improve the formula for power sharing among the BN component parties for the sake of the coalition’s strength in governing Sabah.
“The guideline for power sharing has already been formulated by a committee headed by Speaker Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak a few years ago but it has yet to be implemented,” he said.
He pointed out that many supporters and members of PBS were dissatisfied as they felt the party was being sidelined in decision making and division of power.
“There have been too many grouses and complaints aired by the people that as a BN component party we are viewed as not playing much role in the governing of the state despite holding the post of Deputy Chief Minister.
“This reality needs to be corrected through a fairer and equitable distribution of power. The state BN needs a major reinvention and power sharing cannot just remain a concept and not being practised.
“A simple thing like the appointment of community development leader has not taken place in some areas where the BN component parties lost to the opposition. It has been almost two years and the appointment has not been made in the areas,” he said during a Christmas and New Year gathering in Kota Marudu on Sunday night.
Salleh, who is also Sabah State Legislative Assembly Speaker, yesterday said that a community development leader had also not been appointed in Klias, where Umno lost in the last election.
“Dr Max should not make a general sweeping statement, which could result in the misperception of the political scenario in Sabah,” he said.
Salleh said he was made to understand that the list of names for the community development leader posts had been submitted by the respective component parties and been finalized and the swearing-in ceremony was to take place this month.
He said this included submission of list by the PBS president to the state BN leadership.
“The state BN leadership has no objection to the list submitted and the PBS leadership is aware there is no objection,” he said, adding the concept of power sharing was not merely rhetorical as claimed by Dr Max.
“The appointment of ministers, assistant ministers, permanent secretaries, directors of state departments and agencies as well as district officers and community leaders was testimony to the fact that power sharing is being practised.”
“It is alive and well in Sabah.”
Salleh said such appointments were proof that no single party was sidelined in decision making or other BN component parties were not playing an active role in governing the state.
“Don’t walk to the political tune of certain quarters with vested interest to destroy unity in BN,” he said.
He also said making such harsh remarks could cause a rift in an otherwise a harmonious coalition,” he said.
Salleh said any problems or dissatisfaction should be brought to the table for discussion and aired out for political mileage.