Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sabah, Chief Minister posts: Mojuntin protests
Published on: Saturday, August 13, 2022
By: Daily Express
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Peter Mojuntin
1967: United Pasokmomogun Kadazan Organisation (Upko) members staged a walkout 65 minutes after the State Assembly session began, saying they “did not want to be party to action which was blatantly undemocratic.”
The walkout came after opposition leader Dato Ganie Gilong, Peter Mojuntin (Moyog) and Herman Luping (Tandek) were ruled out of order by the Speaker on grounds that their statements were not in keeping with the tone of the debate.
Upko President Dato Donald Stephens was seated in the public gallery with Singapore lawyer David Marshall and several students from La Salle.
Stephens did not participate in the first State election in 1967, deciding not to contest at the last minute that would have otherwise been a popularity contest between him and Mustapha.
Paya Juman who stood in Kiulu, when Stephens decided not to contest, crossed over to Usno upon winning the seat, and becoming Sabah’s first Welfare Minister, besides being the first “frog” in Sabah and Malaysian politics.
Ganie said the opposition regretted the vagueness of government policy and deplored the carefree manner in which political changes in the State were dispensed with.
In trying to explain the political changes, Ganie was pulled up for “speaking out of context.”
He was pulled up on two more occasions before finally ruled out of order. Luping tried to intercede for Ganie but was also ruled out.
Next to speak was Dato Indan Kari who spent a great deal of time lavishing praise on Chief Minister Tun Mustapha.
Mojuntin in his speech contended there was an unwritten agreement on the establishment of Malaysia that both the Head of State and Chief Minister could not be of the same racial group. At this stage Finance Minister Harris asked for a point of order and the Speaker upheld the request.
Next to speak was Mohd Dun Banir who also started by lavishing praise on Mustapha.
Luping asked if this was government policy but the Speaker said it was fair comment.
Mojuntin again interrupted and said the wishes of half the people who voted in the elections was on Upko’s platform of a re-examination of the terms of entry.
He was ruled out of order.
It was shortly after this that the Upko leaders walked out, leaving the independent member for Elopura Yap Pak Leong alone in the opposition bench.
Kampung Air night market launched
1975: Minister of Local Government Datuk Salleh Sulong declared open the Kampung Air night market.
He expressed appreciation for the initiative taken by the Kota Kinabalu Town Board in encouraging small businessmen to sell their goods in the space provided, adding that it was another means of overcoming inflation.
The night market lasts from 6.30pm to 10pm every evening and 295 traders were given licences to do business.
JUNE 2
Lee sees no danger in pact
1966: Singapore Premier Lee Kuan Yew (pic) said he did not envisage any danger to his country as a result of the agreement reached between Indonesia and Malaysia on ending the confrontation.
He was asked upon a six-week tour of the East Bloc nations if he thought Malaysia and Indonesia might “gang up” on Singapore.
“I do not believe Malaysia will ever allow Singapore to be cracked, for I think they know if Singapore is gone. Malaysia is untenable,” Lee said.
JUNE 5
Mustapha returns from Bangkok peace talks
1966: Tun Mustapha (pic) returned as a member of the Malaysian delegation to the Bangkok peace talks between Malaysia and Indonesia that resulted in an end to the latter’s policy of confrontation.
He was met on arrival by Chief Minister Peter Lo.
Mustapha said the meeting did not bring about victory or defeat to either Indonesia or Malaysia, as the Prime Minister described.
He said it marked the beginning of close co-operation among nations in south-east Asia, besides normalisation of relations with the Philippines.
JUNE 7
Lo thanks Aussie engineers
1966: Chief Minister Peter Lo (pic) thanked the 21st Construction Squadron, Royal Australian engineers for their valuable contribution to the security and welfare of Sabah.
The squadron was involved in building eight miles of road and at least three bridges, as well as maintaining 13 miles of road built by an earlier squadron.
Sabahans for senior police posts
1966: Deputy Sabah Police Commissioner Mohammed Shamsuddin said every effort is being made to prepare locals to take over senior posts in the Police Department. There are 10 senior posts in the department and three have been filled by local boys.
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