Kota Kinabalu: Newly appointed Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Shahelmy Yahya urged parties involved in the failed attempt to topple the Hajiji administration such as Warisan to help build and develop Sabah.
“The political turmoil has passed. So, this is the time for all Sabah leaders to work for the people based on the new formula of the new state cabinet,” he told reporters.
The new formula of appointing Pakatan Harapan (PH) assemblymen to the Sabah Cabinet has been seen as capable of intensifying efforts to further develop the state.
He hoped assemblymen from Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), Barisan Nasional (BN) and PH in the Cabinet would be able to work more efficiently in formulating and implementing the best policies for the people.
“(As for) those who carried out the rebellion against the Chief Minister, the leaders behind the Sabah government have decided not accept them,” Shahelmy, who was also appointed the new Works Minister, said.
The said ministerial portfolios (Deputy Chief Minister and Works Minister) was previously held by Sabah Umno chief Datuk Bung Moktar Radin priority to Wednesday’s State Cabinet reshuffle.
“They (Warisan and Sabah Umno faction) need to accept their fate, cooling off. Become an opposition that builds. Let us together focus on developing Sabah first….When the time comes, in 2025 when this term ends, then we seek the mandate from the rakyat,” he said.
He said the new State Cabinet line-up is in line with Prime Minister Datuk Sri Anwar Ibrahim’s idea of a unity state government. Shahelmey is leaving it to the Umno supreme council to decide his position in the party for joining the Sabah Cabinet against the wishes of the state party leadership.
He also said he had taken note of Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) and Umno chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin’s statement that he was not representing Umno in the new state Cabinet.
“That is his (Bung Moktar) statement, (but) we will leave it to the top management of central Umno to handle this issue.”
Shahelmey said State Cabinet appointments were the prerogative of the Chief Minister and the legitimacy of the new Cabinet should not be questioned.
Hajiji commands the support of 44 of the 79 assemblymen and has the blessings of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to remain as chief minister.
“The special Sabah State Assembly sitting on Tuesday also passed a bill on gas supply and this showed that the Chief Minister has (majority) support,” he added.
Hajiji announced the new Cabinet comprising seven assemblymen from Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), and two assemblymen each from BN and Pakatan Harapan (PH).
The reshuffle also saw Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) president Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan taking over as Deputy Chief Minister I, replacing Bung Moktar, who was dropped from the Cabinet.
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