MAXIMUM TWO TERM RULE IS NOT A CRITICISM

By : UBF MEDIA

DATUK Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan, Chairman of Borneo Heritage Foundation’s United Borneo Front (UBF), has clarified that the call for a maximum two term rule is not a criticism about the way present leaders are ruling the country or the State of Sabah so UMNO Sabah leaders need not be so defensive and paranoid when debating this issue.

“The suggestion has been thrown into the Prime Minister’s court and it is for parliament to consider the rationale of this request. The fact that two UMNO leaders have insinuated that this has anything to do with the Chief Minister’s abilities only shows a terrible lack of comprehension on their part as to what is being legitimately requested by our movement,” said Dr. Jeffrey.

He said that the request to the Prime Minister is to put in place a national policy that would lead towards the eventual amendment of the Federal and State Constitutions to allow for a two term maximum rule for the Prime Minister post and Chief Ministers of every State.

“The basis for this suggestion is to eliminate systemic corruption and greed that comes with the complacency felt by dictators who are in positions of leadership for too long. We want to avoid the type of revolutions that are taking place in countries where the populace are already at boiling point against leaders who are far too selfish to release their seats to younger leaders and instead of planning a proper succession plan, they want to hold on to power forever.”

Dr. Jeffrey also stated that this is not a direct criticism against any Prime Minister or Chief Minister in this country and UMNO Sabah members who are so quick to criticise need not be so defensive or feel threatened by UBF’s suggestions.

“Any right thinking leader who understands first world politics would comprehend the rationale for our arguments and as such should debate with an open mind. Many great leaders who did great jobs as Prime Ministers have vacated after a maximum two terms because they accepted the rationale of this argument. They are remembered for excellence and not tyranny.”

Dr. Jeffrey also said that Malaysia should not make policies on the assumption that they go on remaining backwards.

“This country needs to move from being a developing country to a developed nation and if policies like a two term rule is not in place now, then when are we ever going to start being ready for Mahathir’s Vision 2020 which is only nine years away?”

“If we hope to make it into the OECD and speak with any credibility on the world stage, we must embrace the reality of the two term rule as being the premise upon which our political system can function with a proper succession plan for the benefit of future generations,” he added.

Dr. Jeffrey also expressed disappointment that a leader in the BN camp should criticise Prime Ministers in this country by commenting that they change policies with every new Prime Minister.

“Prime Ministers as leaders normally respect their predecessors and attempt to be consistent in their policies especially if the Prime Ministers are from the same party. Changing policies with every Prime Minister suggests inconsistency which is obviously not the way to go in good governance unless of course Dahlan is suggesting that all previous policies are so bad they had to be changed?

“This is not a good reason to refuse a two term maximum rule and we must not think of the Chief Minister alone but the good of the whole country when putting in place this important policy for change.”