KOTA KINABALU – Anticipation is high over who will be named Sabah’s new chief minister.
Following a high-level Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) meeting earlier today, the alliance’s leaders proceeded to Istana Negeri for an audience with Governor Tun Juhar Mahiruddin.
GRS, comprising Perikatan Nasional, Barisan Nasional, Parti Bersatu Sabah and Sabah Star, won 38 seats in yesterday’s state election, and was declared the winner.
The Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal-led Parti Warisan Sabah, which was in power before the state assembly’s dissolution on July 30, and its allies got 32 seats.
Three independents emerged victorious, and they are said to be GRS-friendly.
The Vibes brings you today’s events live:
3.22pm: Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan and Datuk Jahid Jahim leave the state palace.
“(The governor) asked for time to make a decision... (but it will be made) as soon as possible,” Bung Moktar tells reporters.
Hajiji, too, says the governor will decide.
Jahid says: “We hand it over to (the governor)... it was a good discussion, it went smoothly.”
Jeffrey does not comment.
3pm: Star president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan arrives at the Istana.
2.49pm: PBS secretary-general Datuk Jahid Jahim arrives at the Istana
2.47pm: Four Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) reps are scheduled to meet the Sabah TYT. An Umno top leader said they have been granted audience at 2.30pm.
UMNO Secretary-General Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said the four are Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, Sabah Bersatu chief Datuk Seri Hajiji Hj Noor, PBS secretary-general Datuk Jahid Jahim and Sabah Star president Datuk Jeffrey Kitingan.
He said the reason for calling for an audience with the Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin was to inform him that the GRS alliance now has 41 reps and therefore has the majority to form the new Sabah Government.
It is understood that the GRS has already several names proposed as chief minister.
When asked who they were, Ahmad Maslan said, "We are leaving it to the head of state to decide."
He said GRS will take the process of forming the government step by step, starting with proving to the head of state that the alliance has the majority.
"The process of swearing in will come later," he said.
GRS now has 41 seats while Warisan Plus remained unchanged with 32 seats.
2.43pm: Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, when asked about the negotiations between GRS components, responded: "I have no comment. But I am quite happy with it."
2.40pm: Earlier, Sabah Star President Datuk Jeffrey Kitingan refused to respond to media questions while leaving the GRS meeting. A guard who was beside him was heard saying, "We are going to be late Datuk, Istana is waiting."
2.28pm: Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin and Sabah Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor arrive in separate vehicles and proceed up to Istana
2.25pm: Heavy police force guards the front gates of Istana Negeri Sabah. The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) meeting has ended. Leaders of Perikatan Nasional (PN), Barisan Nasional (BN) and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) now head to the Istana for an audience with the state Governor.
2.19pm: Bersatu Kunak Hussain Mohd Rais arrives saying he is here to support Hajiji as Chief Minister on his own accord. Also, a Star Moyog central committee member arrives as well to support Hajiji.
