Elected Sabah reps must honour people’s mandate with commitment, performance, says Armizan

KOTA KINABALU (Dec 3): Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) deputy secretary-general Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali has reminded all parties in the newly-formed state administration that the mandate given by the people must be honoured through commitment, performance and clear communication.

“What we hope for does not necessarily mean we get everything. However, gratitude must always be present because the people have placed their trust in GRS, even though we did not secure a simple majority.

“This is the first time the GRS logo was used in a state election,” he said in a Facebook post.

The Papar MP said Sabahans must accept the new political landscape in Malaysia, where post-election cooperation is now part of democratic reality, especially in a politically diverse state such as Sabah with multiple parties and candidates contesting in each constituency.

“This is the new political landscape in Malaysia that we must accept with an open heart. Political cooperation to form a government after an election is something that has to be accepted, even more so in Sabah with its many parties and the large number of candidates contesting each seat.

“This does not mean the cooperation is formed to face the next election together. That is the reality of democracy around the world,” he said.

He explained that forming alliances after an election is necessary to secure legitimacy through a simple majority, while in the next election, the political field will be open for all parties to compete against one another again.

Armizan also expressed hope that leaders who have been entrusted to join the State Cabinet would bring a fresh approach and new energy in serving the people of Sabah.

“I sincerely hope that my colleagues who have been given the responsibility to be part of the Cabinet can bring a new breath, a fresher approach.

“I am confident that Datuk Ewon Benedick, Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan, and Datuk Jamawi Jaafar will be able to carry this trust,” he said.

At the same time, he reminded leaders that accountability to the people is continuous and not limited to the five-year electoral cycle.

“Every party represented in the government will continue to face the people, not just in five years, but within this year and the next,” he added.

Armizan acknowledged that no government is capable of fulfilling every aspiration of the people, but stressed that meaningful progress and improvements must be delivered.

“What matters most is that we can bring progress and improvements that are valuable and meaningful.

“Most importantly, amidst the busyness of daily duties, every development must be communicated to the people through strategic communication,” he said.

He cautioned against leaving the task of communication solely to civil servants, who are already burdened with daily administrative duties.

“We cannot rely only on civil servants to handle communication, as they are overwhelmed with their work and communication is not their core business.

“It is the role of politicians in government to provide that leadership,” he said.