Kota Kinabalu: Klias Assemblyman Datuk Lajim Ukin will be the leader of the Sabah opposition at the State Legislative Assembly which is set to convene for the first time under a fresh term next week.Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sabah Secretary Dr Roland Chia announced Saturday that the decision was made following a vote by the 12 opposition state elected representatives after the swearing-in ceremony on June 13. However, he declined to confirm whether the position would be rotated yearly among the senior members as was earlier proposed by DAP.
Chia said they also requested State Assembly Secretary Datuk Bernard Dalinting for a proper office to be provided for them, especially an office for the opposition State Assembly leader.
They believed the State Assembly Secretary would be able to consider the request just like in Parliament where the opposition had been given the whole 14th floor for their perusal.
"We also requested for staff to be appointed by the State Assembly apart from providing other facilities similar to those accorded to the BN leaders with the cost to be borne by the State Assembly," he said.
Apart from Lajim, the other senior leaders in the opposition are Tamparuli Assemblyman, Datuk Wilfred Bumburing from the Sabah Reform Movement who stood under the PKR ticket and Bingkor Assemblyman, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan of Star.
In Sabah DAP's side, Luyang Assemblyman Hiew King Cheu had served as a Member of Parliament for one term.
Chia also announced that Api-Api Assemblywoman, Christina Liew had been appointed as the PKR Sabah party whip.
Lajim who is the leader of the NGO, Sabah Reform Alliance (PPPS) but contested under the PKR ticket in the 13th General Election had also requested Chia who is the Inanam Assemblyman to be the secretariat for the Sabah opposition in the Assembly.
Chia said Lajim had requested him to be the Secretariat to coordinate between the two opposition parties party whips. Sabah DAP had appointed its Secretary cum Kepayan Assemblyman Dr Edwin Bosi as whip.
Meanwhile, on the call from Sabah DAP for more time to take part in debates, particularly new ones, Lajim said they would be discussing the matter with the Speaker to give them flexibility.
"We will discuss with the Speaker on giving room for us, particularly the new YBs, to talk," he said.
Lajim said it would not be easy for the BN backbenchers to intimidate the opposition assemblymen as there was only a small difference in their numbers in the House.
Out of the 60 assemblymen, 30 of them were either made cabinet ministers or assistant ministers leaving only 18 backbenchers now while 12 more assemblymen are from the opposition.
Nonetheless, Lajim who celebrated his birthday on Saturday said he would be making more detailed statements next week when the assembly starts.
Next week marks the first time that the Sabah State Legislative Assembly would see so many opposition representatives from more than one political party in action.
On Monday, Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin would deliver the State Government policy speech in conjunction with the opening of the State Assembly's new term.
For the next three days beginning Tuesday, the policy speech would be the focus of the assemblymen's debate.
