KOTA KINABALU: Five Barisan Nasional assemblymen have come out to publicly announce support for Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor as Sabah Chief Minister while calling for Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin to step down as Umno chairman on Saturday (Jan 7).
The five Umno assemblymen said in a joint statement that they were pledging their unwavering support for Hajiji as Sabah Chief Minister under the law.
The five are Datuk Shahelmey Yahya (Tanjung Keramat assemblyman), Datuk Yusof Yacob (Sindumin), Datuk Jasni Daya (Pantai Dalit), Datuk Arshad Bistari (Tempasuk) and Datuk James Ratib (Sugut).
"We have been shocked by the actions of some of our party members, including party chairman Bung Moktar, who are trying to cause the downfall of the state government," they said.
"We hereby wish to make it clear that we support Hajiji as Chief Minister," they said.
They added that they do not support Bung's actions or any attempt to disrupt the political stability of Sabah.
"We strongly condemn this action and urge Bung to step down as Sabah Umno chairman as his actions have tarnished the image of the party," they said.
They said Sabah had once again been dragged into the political crisis at a time when Sabahans wanted political stability.
"Together with the people of Sabah, we are firm in our stand and belief that this is not the right time for power grabs.
"It is time to unite so that the state government is able to focus on recovering its economy and to improve the livelihood of the people. Let us hope that this problem will be solved soon,"read the statement.
