KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government will give a list of names for the King to consider as the next Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sabah, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor (pic).
“The names (of candidates) from the state government ... will (be sent) up in the nearest time frame,” he said when asked if the state had any names in mind.
He declined to comment further.
“Don’t ask this question (about who it will be). It is up to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to appoint a Tuan Yang Terutama (TYT),” he said after officiating a civil servants cooperatives event here on Wednesday (Nov 27).
There has been speculation as to who the next governor will be once current governor Tun Juhar Mahirrudin’s term ends on Dec 31.
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Juhar was appointed on Jan 1, 2011, and has held the office for three four-year terms. He received a two-year extension effective Jan 1 last year at the end of his third term.
There is talk in political circles that Juhar's term could be extended by another two years if the state is unable to agree on a replacement.
It is understood that at least seven names, including former politicians, retired civil servants and prominent individuals, have been considered.
They include former chief minister Tan Sri Musa Aman, former state minister Datuk Seri Nasir Sakaran, State Secretary Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman as well as former Dewan Rakyat speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin.
Previously, some groups have also called for Huguan Siou, the paramount leader of the natives in Sabah, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan to be appointed governor but there were objections from other parties as he is not a Muslim, among other reasons.
