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Tan Sri Annuar Musa – Stock Photo by Bernama
PUTRAJAYA, October 1 – The new state government of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) could not have a Chinese minister as all minority candidates lost in state elections, Tan Sri Annuar Musa said today.
He claimed that this meant that there were no Chinese assembly members who could be appointed minister of state.
“I spoke with our partners, Bersatu, the night the state government was formed and we realized that there was no elected Chinese representative on our side.
“Actually, if you follow the Sabah tradition, of the three deputy prime minister posts, one will be of Muslim bumiputera origin, one of a non-Muslim bumiputera and the last of a Chinese.
“But it’s hard (to do it) because not a single Chinese elected representative that we selected won. People had a choice and made their decision, so we have to respect it, ”she told reporters during a press conference here.
Annuar also casually said that most of the elected representatives of Chinese origin were from the Opposition bloc, further consolidating the absence of Chinese elected representatives on the government side.
However, in accordance with article 14 of the Sabah state constitution, the Yang di-Pertua Negri can appoint up to six nominated members to the legislative assembly on the recommendation of the state government.
Earlier, Annuar also commented on Sabah’s unique system of nominated assemblymen and said he expected political ally PAS to receive one of the six vacancies for nominated assemblymen in Sabah, further suggesting that his own Umno party could get two.
PAS did not contest any seats in the Sabah elections.
Annuar also said the remaining three could go to Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) allies Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM).
The United Association of Private Chinese High School Committees, Sabah (Sabah Dong Zong) previously called for the appointment of Chinese ministers in the newly formed state cabinet.
Its president, Datuk Jimmy Yong Kyok Ming, said the Chinese community would have no channel to convey the problems facing Chinese schools and the community to the state government if the state cabinet does not have a Chinese representative.
Although none of the candidates presented by the Chinese parties in GRS were chosen in the Sabah polls, he said that the prime minister has the prerogative to appoint six appointed assemblymen. – Malay Post
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