SABAH Deputy Chief Minister Wilfred Madius Tangau has welcomed the proposal to limit to two the terms of the prime minister, chief ministers and menteri besar.

He said the state has seen instances of power abuse when politicians hold office for too long.

“We support the move. We have seen that power abuse happens when politicians stay in power for too long,” the United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) president told reporters after chairing the party’s first supreme council meeting today.

On the midterm review of the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP), Tangau said Upko welcomes initiatives to empower ethnic communities in terms of business and skills.

He said he hopes Putrajaya will keep a close eye on the programmes, citing the failure of similar initiatives carried out under 8MP.

He said there were too many leakages in the past when the initiatives were under federal control, adding that it may be time for the state to take over.

“We want close observation and good implementation. We also want more autonomy, to ensure the assistance reaches the target groups.”

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, when tabling the midterm review in Parliament yesterday, announced the initiatives to empower ethnic groups. – October 19, 2018.