Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor said he decided to reshuffle the State Cabinet and include assemblymen from Pakatan Harapan (PH) besides those from Umno/Barisan Nasional and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).
He said a strong team and an inclusive administration was necessary to consolidate the present State Government.
“It is important for the State Government under my leadership to function as a cohesive team who share the same aspirations built on mutual trust and respect,” he said in a statement, Wednesday.
Hajiji said the State Government is determined to have like-minded leaders who appreciate the need to ensure efforts to develop the State run smoothly and uninterrupted as expected by the people.
“Political stability is crucial.
“With a strong team, we can ensure the state’s investment dynamics are maintained, hence further growing investors’ confidence and attracting more to come to Sabah.
“We must forge ahead to push our development momentum and fulfil our election pledges,” he said.
The reshuffle saw former Deputy Chief Minister I cum Works Minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, Datuk Jafry Arifin and Datuk Yakub Khan being dropped for their role in attempting to unseat the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah-led State Government together with Parti Warisan Sabah last week. All are with Sabah Umno-Barisan Nasional.
Bung was replaced by Datuk Ir Shahelmey Yahya as Deputy Chief Minister III cum Works Minister.
Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan was promoted to Deputy Chief Minister I but maintained his portfolio as Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, while Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam was promoted to Deputy Chief Minister II and his portfolio changed to Local Government and Housing Minister, from previously Industrial Development Minister.
Previous Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun is now the State Finance Minister, while Ginger Phoong Jin Zhe was appointed the new Industrial Development Minister.
Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif is now Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, taking over from Yakub, while his previous Special Tasks and Coordination Ministry is not listed in the new State Cabinet.
Besides Phoong, another from Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sabah is Datuk Christina Liew who has been reappointed Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, replacing Jafry.
Phoong, Liew and Datuk James Ratib, who was appointed new Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister replacing Shahelmey, are the new faces in the State Cabinet. All were sworn in at Istana Seri Kinabalu, Wednesday.
Both Datuk Jahid Jahim and Datuk Ellron Angin maintained their respective posts as Rural Development Minister and Youth and Sports Minister.
The Cabinet reshuffle also saw Hajiji not holding portfolio after relinquishing the Finance Minister post to Masidi.
From 11 Sabah state Cabinet members, seven are from GRS, two from BN and two more from PH.
On Jan 8, Hajiji claimed he had obtained the support of 44 Sabah assemblymen comprising 29 from GRS, PH (7), BN (5), PAS (1), Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (1) and Independent (1).
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