KOTA KINABALU – The clock is ticking and pressure rising for Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor to have Chinese representation in his cabinet.
In last weekend’s state election, Sabah Star’s Tulid rep, Flovia Ng, was the only Chinese winner for the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) alliance – catching political pundits by surprise.
Sources close to Bersatu man Hajiji said they believe he will appoint several Chinese leaders as nominated assemblymen, with six of the posts up for grabs.
These appointments could be from Barisan Nasional’s MCA, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), they said.
State MCA chief Lu Yen Thung, however, told The Vibes that he will decline such an offer if it is made, saying the party committee will propose a name instead.
“We have suffered a very embarrassing defeat.
“It’s a matter of principle to decline the offer. But if (a nominated rep is to be) from MCA, the party will give Hajiji a name.”
PBS leader Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili, meanwhile, said he will leave it to the “wisdom of the chief minister” to make cabinet appointments.
He said Chinese voters did not respond well to GRS candidates from the community, going by the election outcome.
“I feel that Chinese voters now need to assess their position. Are they going to forever be with DAP and PKR?”
SAPP president Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee declined to comment on the issue, saying only that he will wait for Hajiji’s decision.
Observers have warned that a lack of Chinese representation in the state government will be seen as a punishment to the community and breaking with a long-standing tradition in Sabah. – The Vibes, October 1, 2020
