KOTA KINABALU: There is much talk on social media over who will be the next Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negeri to replace Tun Juhar Mahirrudin, whose term ends on Dec 31 2024.
Internet users are sharing names of possible candidates as politicians from both sides of the political divide are closely watching the choice of Governor for the state.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has yet to publicly indicate the state government's choice for Governor.
It is understood at least seven names including former politicians, retired civil servants and prominent individuals had been considered for the job.
Any decision should firm up by the first week of December, according to sources.
Juhar, who was first appointed on Jan 1, 2011, has held the office for three full terms (each term is four years) and was given a two-year extension at the end of his third term from Jan 1, 2023.
Amid various names being bandied about as possible choices, there is talk among some political circles that Juhar's term could be extended by another two years if the state is unable to agree on the next choice.
The Governor's term was limited to two terms but in 2019, the state government, under the Warisan-Pakatan Harapan government, amended the state Constitution to remove the number of terms a Governor can hold the position.
The official appointment of Sabah Governor is made by the King on the recommendation of the state government.
During his term, Juhar has faced several legal challenges over his decisions on the appointment of Chief Minister just after the 2018 general election and his September 2020 decision to allow for the dissolution of the state assembly to pave the way for snap elections.
Tun Juhar's decisions were upheld by the courts in both instances after former former chief minister Tan Sri Musa Aman had instituted legal proceedings.
Musa had challenged his removal as chief minister 48-hours after being sworn in after the 2018 state election and was replaced by Parti Warisan president Datuk Mohd Shafie Apdal.
In September 2020, Shafie called for a snap election amid a move by Musa to garner back his majority in the state assembly just months after corruption charges were dropped against him.
The political moves came with changing federal politics as Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin became Prime Minister in 2020 after Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad resigned.
Musa, who has taken a political backseat, is among several names talked about as a possible replacement for the 71-year-old Juhar.
Other names include former state minister Datuk Seri Nasir Sakaran, state Secretary Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman as well as former Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin.
