KOTA KINABALU – The fresh political crisis in Sabah has cast a shadow of doubt over whether the special assembly sitting on the state’s newly gained powers over its oil and gas resources scheduled for next Tuesday will proceed.
The state assembly was to convene for the passing of two bills regarding the devolution of the gas authority to the state, devolution of power from Putrajaya granted only two weeks ago as part of Sabah’s long-standing demands for its rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 to be implemented.
The two bills are believed to be on establishing the Sabah Energy Commission and on gas supply.
But the Sabah government is now unstable following the decision by Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) last night to break with the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).
GRS and BN formed an alliance to govern Sabah after the state election in 2020.
The situation is still unfolding, and Sabah BN is rumoured to be joining forces with Warisan to usurp GRS, which will put the state government led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor on the brink of collapse.
Just before Sabah BN withdrew its cooperation with GRS last night, Hajiji, who is also GRS chairman, planned a cabinet reshuffle.
Sabah BN chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin then formally announced their break with the GRS government, accusing Hajiji of violating their pact.
BN’s departure puts Hajiji’s legitimacy as chief minister in question as questions arise about his majority in the state assembly. Sabah’s assembly has 79 seats.
Of BN’s 18 assemblymen, Bung Moktar has said that five of them did not agree with pulling out from the GRS-led government, leaving BN with 13. Warisan has 19 assemblymen and KDM, which is also against Hajiji, has 3 seats. Along with an independent, Bung Moktar’s faction would have 36 seats.
This 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.
This makes Pakatan Harapan’s seven lawmakers the possible kingmakers, but the seven of them in a statement last night said they are still backing Hajiji so as to prioritise political stability. – The Vibes, January 7, 2023
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