KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s longest serving Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin has called it a day, describing his 14-year stint as “challenging”. His term ended yesterday.
The 71-year-old Juhar said his tenure as the governor since 2011 had been a long journey with many experiences and sometimes full of challenges. This, he said, was part of the duties of the office.
However, he maintained that he had carried out his duties “honestly, fairly and responsibly”.
“Every day, the people need to be given attention because they are the foundation and backbone of all development and success achieved. Every decision taken, every policy enacted, must focus on the well-being and welfare of the people.
“Without the support and trust of the people, no success can be achieved in government,” he said in his speech at the state government’s appreciation banquet on Monday night.
As a person entrusted to lead the state, he said he always sought to carry out his responsibilities with cooperation from all parties.
“In this journey, we have experienced many successes which are the result of cooperation and the spirit of unity among all parties.
“Every effort made, even if it was small, has a big impact in ensuring that our state continues to progress and grow,” he said.
Juhar is succeeded by Sabah’s longest serving chief minister Tun Musa Aman, who will be sworn in at Istana Seri Kinabalu today.
Both men have a long, intertwined history.
After the 2018 general election, Juhar removed Musa as chief minister barely 48 hours after swearing him in. Warisan president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal then took over the post.
Musa then unsuccessfully challenged Juhar’s decision to remove him in court.
Two years later, Musa was again unsuccessful in challenging Juhar in court over his move to dissolve the Sabah legislative assembly amid a move by Musa to topple Shafie’s Warisan-Pakatan Harapan government.
In his farewell speech on Monday, Juhar congratulated Musa over his appointment while thanking Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and everyone – including civil servants, security forces and non-governmental organisations – who backed him.
“The success and progress of this state depends on the spirit of unity and continuous support from all parties,” he added.
As for his tenure, he said: “Everything that begins must end.”
