Wait for term to end before holding elections, says Joniston Bangkuai

KOTA KINABALU: It is better to wait for five years until the term finishes before holding any elections, says the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) information chief.

“We are focused on bringing changes for the people that can be seen and felt. Not just talk about this fail and that failed, wait for the term to end,” said Datuk Joniston Bangkuai (pic) during a media luncheon on Wednesday (Jan 31).

Bangkuai said oppositions are making lots of noise and speculating as if the state election will be called anytime now, when in fact, the current state government has over a year more to work before the term ends.

“Yes, our Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor had asked for all to be ready and that there is going to be an election, but of course, we must always be ready,” he said.

He said it is also a fact that a state election will be called by October next year, as the term would end by then.

Bangkuai asked why the elections should be called early when there were so many issues to address, including water and electricity.

He said these problems have existed for a long time and the current leaders are finding ways to solve them.

He said the leaders should be given time and the opportunity to address these issues.

“Even our previous King advised us to wait five years before holding any elections, so we should respect the King’s advice,” Bangkuai said.

Asked about a certain political analyst’s statement that GRS and Pakatan Harapan would stand a bigger chance of winning state elections if it was called earlier, he said this thought does not seem right.

“Look, who are the ones in the government who are busy attacking us now? Who are those overly busy politicking?” he asked.

Bagnkuai said analysts, like everyone else, have their own thoughts on this matter, but the state’s current focus is on the people and their development.