KOTA KINABALU, Oct 17 — A local group has today proposed that Sabah United Association of Ethnic Bumiputra Native Council (Magebs) chairman Datuk Abdullah Sibil be appointed the next state governor when the time comes.

A local news portal, Sabah360, reported that the Sabah Sama Association (PSS), through its secretary-general Etong Terang, made the proposal, saying that Abdullah, who has been heading the council since 2016, has been working on uniting efforts among the various ethnicities in Sabah.

"He was chosen to lead Magebs because of his leadership aura and is liked by the various ethnic associations in Sabah.

"His capability and credibility has successfully led some 34 Bumiputra ethnic groups in Sabah under the Magebs umbrella. It is no easy task to unite all the ethnicities in Sabah in one group,” he said.

Abdullah is well-versed in the corporate industry, being president of the State’s Bumiputera Entrepreneur Chambers, as well as chairman of Rafflesia Medical Centre, A3 Education and Training, Boleh Borneo Oil and Gas Construction Sdn Bhd, Enigma Borneo Sdn Bhd dan many other related sectors.

He has 35 years of experience as a civil servant in the Agricultural Ministry and Industrial Development Ministry and the Sabah Credit Corporation.

"His leadership, character and attributes make him an asset that is ideal as the Head of State for Sabah,” said the report.

Recently, the Kadazandusun Cultural Association put forward its proposal to have Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan appointed head of state.

The proposal was controversial as Sabah has never had a non-Muslim governor in the last 10 post-holders. Although experts have agreed that there is no provision that states the governor needs to be a Muslim, they said it was realistically and practically unlikely that a non-Muslim could hold the post.

The current governor, with the Malay title Tuan Yang Terutama (TYT), is Tun Juhar Mahiruddin, who has held the post since January 2011. Each governor is appointed for a term of four years, and until recently, had a two tear maximum.

There is currently no limit to the TYT term, and Juhar’s appointment could be extended for another term, making it his fourth.