Masidi, Joachim and Ewon are Sabah's new deputy chief ministers

LocalPolitics
1 Dec 2025 • 4:37 PM MYT
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GABUNGAN Rakyat Sabah (GRS) leaders Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun and Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, along with Upko president Datuk Ewon Benedick were sworn in as the state's three deputy chief ministers at Istana Seri Kinabalu today .

Masidi will continue in his previous role as Finance Minister under the new state administration, while Dr Joachim, who is also Parti Bersatu Sabah acting president, will concurrently oversee the Works and Utilities Ministry.

Ewon, who is also the UPKO president takes charge of the Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Trade Ministry.

Including Hajiji, Joachim, and Masidi, there are eight cabinet members from GRS, and one each from Upko, PH, and BN.

Here is the full list of ministers and their portfolios:

Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor (GRS) - Chief Minister

Datuk Seri Joachim Gunsalam (GRS) - DCM I, Minister of Works and Utilities

Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun (GRS) - DCM II, Minister of Finance

Datuk Ewon Benedick (Upko) - DCM III, Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship, and Transport

Datuk Arifin Arif (GRS) - Minister of Housing and Local Government

Datuk Jamawi Jaafar (PH) - Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food Industry

Rubin Balang (GRS) - Minister of Rural Development

Datuk James Ratib (GRS) - Minister of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Datuk Jafry Ariffin (BN) - Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Environment

Datuk Julita Mojungki (GRS) - Minister of Women's Development, Health, and Community Wellbeing

Datuk Nizam Titingan (GRS) - Minister of Youth Development, Sports Development, and Creative Economy. 

The 17th Sabah State Election saw GRS emerge as the dominant coalition, winning 29 of the 73 contested seats. UPKO claimed three seats, while Sabah STAR secured two.

Parti Warisan won 25 seats, Barisan Nasional six, and five independents also gained representation. Perikatan Nasional, Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM), and Pakatan Harapan each won one seat.

The formation of the new Cabinet represents Hajiji’s effort to consolidate leadership within the state, bringing together key coalition partners to ensure stable governance and continuity of Sabah’s development agenda. - December 1, 2025