Guidelines lacking: Max

PITAS, September 4 (Daily Express) -- Barisan Nasional (BN) requires proper and transparent guidelines on the practice of power sharing especially at the district and constituency levels, said Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Deputy President Datuk Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili.

He said this would further promote the spirit of cooperation and comradeship among the component parties, as well as strengthen the coalition.

"The absence of proper guidelines has resulted in inconsistent approaches in the allocation of funds and appointment of posts at the constituency level.

Thus, there have been accusations and murmuring that one single party is monopolising," he said when opening the PBS Banggi division Annual General Meeting here Thursday.

Dr Ongkili added that one approach proposed by Barisan Nasional supporters is for the assemblymen or MP of a constituency to be given full authority to decide on the appointments and distribution of projects, but keeping with the spirit of cooperation that has been the strength of the BN partnership.

The representatives, he added, should decide on appointments to political posts in the districts, including staff in the people's development leaders office, native and village chiefs, as well as chairmen of the village development and security committee (JKKK).

"PBS elected representatives have voiced their unhappiness that they have not been given a free hand in making such appointments in their constituencies.

At the same time, PBS members have complained that they have been excluded from appointments at constituencies represented by other component parties. The guidelines will eliminate any accusation that one party is monopolising appointments," he said.

Dr Ongkili, who said the spirit of accommodation and compromise would only strengthen Barisan Nasional further, also called on PBS members to play their roles accordingly and adopt this practice.