[UPDATED] Sabah Pakatan reps propose state unity govt, voice support for Hajiji

KOTA KINABALU – Sabah Pakatan Harapan (PH) has proposed for a unity state government similar to what has been done on the federal level despite reiterating support for Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor to remain as chief minister. 

The seven PH assemblymen in Sabah reiterated in a joint statement today that they disagree with the state assembly’s dissolution during this current political impasse, or when the assembly is hung. 

“We reiterate that we will not support any sort of movement to topple the government through a ‘backdoor’. We continue to support current Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor.”

“This is in line with our principle to ensure political stability and not be involved in a move like the Sheraton move.”

The seven PH assemblymen are Datuk Christina Liew (PKR), Datuk Poon Ming Fung (DAP), Datuk Ewon Benedick (Upko), Phoong Jin Zhe (DAP), Jannie Lasimbang (DAP), Peto Galim (PKR) and Tan Lee Fatt (DAP).

They also expressed hope that their support will end the political turmoil in Sabah soon for the sake of the people’s wellbeing.

“We regret to see that Sabah has once again faced political turmoil that is not supposed to happen.  

“Our main focus is to continue our fight in helping the people and developing the economy, and to ensure the Malaysia Agreement 1963 is realised in line with the prime minister’s hopes.”

For now, GRS has 29 reps, which include 15 former Bersatu assemblymen. As things stand, the coalition appears to have the support of the five from Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) who reportedly disagree with its chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, and PH’s seven assemblymen.

This leaves BN with 13 while Warisan has 19 assemblymen and Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat, which is also against Hajiji, has three seats. Along with an independent, Bung’s faction has 36 seats.

This number would tie with GRS’, which sources told The Vibes would also have 36 seats comprising its 29 assemblymen, the five from Umno and lawmakers from smaller parties.

Sabah’s assembly has 79 seats, and the simple majority needed to form a government is 40.

This makes PH’s seven lawmakers the possible kingmakers. – The Vibes, January 7, 2023