KOTA KINABALU – New Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor’s first press conference today has left a few questions unanswered.
One of them is the person picked to represent the Chinese minority in the new state cabinet.
Hajiji said he will look into it, including appointing a nominated assemblyman for the post.
The matter will be discussed among Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) members – Perikatan Nasional (PN), Barisan Nasional (BN) and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS).
Of the 10 Chinese assemblymen elected in the recent state polls, only Tulid assemblyman Flovia Ng is from GRS. Ng’s party is Sabah Star.
There are speculations that Hajiji may pick Sabah MCA chief Lu Yen Thung for the role.
Another issue is women representation in the state cabinet lineup.
Currently, Julita Majungki (Matunggong-PBS) Matunggong and Ng are the only two women reps from GRS. It is expected both will receive either full or assistant minister positions.
Before losing state power, Warisan had created three state ministries – Law and Native Affairs, Education and Innovation, and Health and People’s Wellbeing.
It remains to be seen if GRS will keep or abolish those portfolios.
The creation of the three ministries in 2018 had been criticised as being unnecessary and without real powers.
The reason is both health and education are under the purview of the federal government.
Earlier, Hajiji announced that there would be three deputy chief ministers in his cabinet.
They are Sabah BN chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin who is given the works portfolio, Sabah Star president Datuk Jeffrey Kitingan who handles agriculture and fisheries, and PBS vice-president Datuk Joachim Gunsalam who will trade and industry minister.
Hajiji is expected to take up the state finance portfolio.
Last Saturday, GRS won 38 seats, giving it a simple majority to form government. – The Vibes, September 29, 2020
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