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Daily Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Limiting CM's tenure to 2 terms among GRS manifesto: Armizan
Published on: Thursday, July 17, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jul 17, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: KOTA KINABALU: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is committed to limiting the Chief Minister's tenure in office to two consecutive terms as one of the key reforms in the party's manifesto for the upcoming Sabah state election. GRS deputy secretary-general Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the proposal was approved in the Sabah Cabinet Meeting in December 2023 and is currently in the process of drafting a Bill. Advertisement To implement this, Armizan explained that it requires an amendment to the State Constitution which requires the approval of two-thirds of the assembly members, hence GRS needs a landslide victory of more than a two-thirds majority in the upcoming state election to ensure this endeavour can be realised. "The measure to limit the term of office is important to guarantee leadership renewal and avoid prolonged concentration of power. GRS believes this is among the most progressive political reforms in Sabah," he said in a statement today. Armizan, who is also the Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, said GRS had proven to be a pioneer in this reform when it earlier voiced its commitment to limit the term of the Chief Minister ahead of the Sabah state election. Armizan said the GRS manifesto would be based on four main thrusts, namely Sabah First, Sabah Forward, Sabah Prosper and Sabah United, which reflected the coalition's commitment to strengthening state development, ensuring the well-being of the people and strengthening governance with integrity. He explained that the four thrusts were agreed in the first meeting of the special manifesto preparation team chaired by him, with members from the eight GRS component parties. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
GRS proposes two-term limit for Sabah CM, eyes big win to push reform
Armizan and Onn Norshal enjoying the movie Impak Maksima 2. PAPAR (July 17): Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) has had its first meeting to draft its manifesto for the upcoming Sabah state election, which includes to limit the chief minister's tenure to two consecutive terms. GRS deputy secretary-general Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said he was entrusted by the coalition's chairman cum Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor to chair the task force responsible for formulating the election manifesto and the first meeting comprising representatives from the eight component parties was held on Tuesday night. He said the manifesto consists of two components – the first highlights the efforts and determination in the four pillars of GRS' of struggle, namely Sabah First, Sabah Forward, Sabah Prosper and Sabah United. The second component outlines GRS' achievements for the past five years and work in progress, he said. Armizan, who is also the Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living and Member of Parliament for Papar, said that after launching 10 Star Film Community and the movie premiere of Impak Maksima 2 at the Majestic Ballroom in Parklane City here on Wednesday. He said the coalition had implemented the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya 1.0 since it was given the mandate by the people to form the State Government in 2020. He said the manifesto will demonstrate GRS' commitment in walking the talk and the works that are in progress. For example, Armizan said under the Sabah United pillar, efforts are not only focused on creating a united society, but also on the commitment of all Sabahans to build better governance. 'One of the key points under this initiative is to set a limit of two consecutive terms for the chief minister's tenure. 'This proposal was decided by the GRS-PH Plus State Cabinet in December 2023. 'This reform requires an amendment to the State Constitution, which must be approved by a two-thirds majority of the State Assembly members. 'Therefore, GRS needs a major victory that exceeds a two-thirds majority in the upcoming state election to ensure that this initiative in the manifesto can be passed in the State Legislative Assembly.' Armizan said the proposal was well received by the component parties in GRS. On another note, Armizan commended 10Star Cinemas for its 10 Star Film Community initiative, which includes CineRity charity programme, CineTalk sharing session, CineWaness awareness programme, CineFilm on film distribution and CineShort on short film screenings. He said the initiatives could help develop the creative industry in Malaysia, especially Sabah, as well as providing a platform for talents in the state. He said Sabah has major potential in the creative industry due to our local talents, unique cultures and natural resources which should be leveraged with strategic development plans with stakeholders with the experience and expertise. He said 10Star Cinemas could be one of the State Government's stakeholders to develop the creative industry in Sabah, given their investments in the state. '10Star Cinemas currently operates six cinemas in Sabah, while two new cinemas in Kinarut and Kundasang will be opened soon.' He said the investments by the cinema in Sabah, which surpassed RM100 million, shows their commitment and confidence in the state. Armizan said he would convey the proposals by 10Star Cinemas and industry players on developing the creative industry to the State Government and relevant ministry. He said the premiere of Impak Maksima 2 at 10Star Cinemas in Papar shows that the district has potential for the development of creative industry. He proposed that a creative industry hub be set up in Sabah, such as at the soon-to-be-built Sabah Cultural Complex in Kinarut. 'We need a creative industry hub in Sabah and I would love for the centre to be in Papar.' Also present was 10Star Cinemas Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Onn Norshal Hamzah.
Barnama
2 days ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Limiting Chief Minister's Tenure To 2 Terms Among GRS Manifesto
KOTA KINABALU, July 17 (Bernama) -- Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is committed to limiting the Chief Minister's tenure in office to two consecutive terms as one of the key reforms in the party's manifesto for the upcoming Sabah state election. GRS deputy secretary-general Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the proposal was approved in the Sabah Cabinet Meeting in December 2023 and is currently in the process of drafting a Bill. To implement this, Armizan explained that it requires an amendment to the State Constitution which requires the approval of two-thirds of the assembly members, hence GRS needs a landslide victory of more than a two-thirds majority in the upcoming state election to ensure this endeavour can be realised.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
GRS pushes 2-term limit for Sabah CM in bold governance reform
PAPAR: A proposal to introduce a two-term limit for the Chief Minister of Sabah is among the key initiatives outlined in the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) election manifesto. GRS deputy secretary-general Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the initiative fell under the 'Sabah United' pillar — one of four central pillars of the manifesto, alongside 'Sabah First', 'Sabah Forward', and 'Sabah Prosper'. He said the move not only aimed at promoting unity among Sabahans but also reflected a collective commitment to strengthening governance in the state. "This proposal was agreed upon by the GRS state cabinet in collaboration with Pakatan Harapan (PH) Plus in December 2023. The reform would require an amendment to the State Constitution, which in turn needs a two-thirds majority support in the State Legislative Assembly. "As such, GRS must secure a convincing victory exceeding the two-thirds threshold in the upcoming state election (PRN) to ensure this manifesto pledge can be realised in a future sitting of the assembly (DUN)," he said. Armizan, who is also Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Minister said the manifesto was still being refined and has yet to be finalised. "We are currently in the early stages of developing its framework. We've invited all component parties within GRS and PH Plus to submit proposals. Each party will further fine-tune their inputs based on the four key pillars, before they are consolidated and presented at the GRS Supreme Council meeting," he told a press conference after officiating the Sabah Short Film Commercial Screening and the premiere of Impak Maksima 2 at 10Star Cinemas, Parklane City Benoni, yesterday. Armizan also said that he had chaired the first meeting with representatives from all GRS component parties to discuss the formation of a special task force to draft the manifesto. "GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor entrusted me to lead this task force, which includes representatives from all component parties. "Our meeting on Tuesday went smoothly. While the final draft will be submitted for the leadership's consideration, I can share that the GRS manifesto will comprise two main components. "The first component focuses on initiatives structured around the four core pillars — 'Sabah First', 'Sabah Forward', 'Sabah Prosper' and 'Sabah United'. "The second component reflects the resolve and commitment of GRS to deliver on its promises," he added.
New Straits Times
07-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Sarawak assembly passes bill to increase membership to 99 as DAP rep is ejected
KUCHING: The Sarawak state assembly has passed a bill to increase its membership to 99 from the present 82. The house also ejected DAP Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen from the assembly for obstructing government backbencher, Lo Khere Chiang (Batu Kitang), from debating the bill. Chong, who is the Sarawak DAP chairman, refused to sit down and stop interrupting Lo. This left Speaker Tan Sri Awang Asfia Awang Nassar with no choice but to call the sergeant-at-arms to escort Chong out. Following partisan lines, lawmakers from the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition voted for the increase while the two opposition assemblymen, Chong and Violet Yong (Pending), voted against. The Bill only needed a simple majority to pass. The four-party coalition of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), the lynchpin of the coalition, Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) and the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), holds 80 of the 82 seats in the legislature. Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Hamzah, in tabling the Composition of Membership Bill 2025, said Sarawak's vast geographical expanse and the extensive area state representatives representing rural constituencies must cover were key reasons that necessitated the need to redraw the state's electoral boundaries. He said the state, over the years, had witnessed significant demographic changes, urban expansion, and increasing demand for fair representation. The increase, Karim said, will ensure the needs and concerns of the rakyat are more efficiently and effectively addressed. "This proposed increase in the number of elected representatives is bold, reasonable, necessary and will enhance accessibility to the government," he said in today's special one-day sitting of the assembly to pass the bill. Karim said he hoped the re-delineation exercise would be completed soon for the 17 seats to be contested in the coming state election, which is expected sometime next year, before the state government's mandate expires at year-end. Sarawak is exercising its legal rights to increase the seats under Article 14 (1)( 3) of the State Constitution. Karim said the proposed increase was also in line with Article 113 (II) of the Federal Constitution, which allows for a review of electoral boundaries after an interval of not less than eight years. The last re-delineation exercise in Sarawak was carried out in 2015. Karim said the assembly, as the legislative authority, "must remain dynamic and responsive to the evolving needs of our people ... to ensure that it continues to reflect the voices and aspirations of all Sarawakans." He said there has been a significant increase in the state's population and number of voters since the last re-delineation exercise, especially with the voting age reduced from 21 to 18. When the first direct election to the assembly, which was then known as the Council Negri, was held in 1969, the house had 48 elected members. In 1985, the number rose to 56 and then 62 in 1995. In 2005, the seats were increased by nine from 62 to 71.
