KOTA KINABALU: Newly-minted Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya says he is still an Umno member.
This is despite the fact that he was among the five Sabah Umno dissidents who went against the Sabah Barisan Nasional move to pull out from the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government.
“I am still an Umno member as I have not received any news from the party leadership.
“I had met with party president (Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) for a while (recently) but there was nothing. We only nodded (at each other) and shook hands, that’s all,” said the Tanjung Keramat assemblyman.
He said this to reporters gathered outside the Istana Seri Kinabalu where he was earlier sworn-in as the Deputy Chief Minister III and State Works Minister on Wednesday (Jan 11).
Towards this end, Shahelmey said the assemblymen backing Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor to stay on as Chief Minister had unanimously agreed not to accept reps from other parties who had attempted to unseat Hajiji’s government.
“So, they will have to accept the reality, this is (the) cooling-off (period).
“Be a constructive Opposition and together let's focus on matters to Sabah.
“When 2025 arrives, the term (of this government) will end and then we can seek the mandate from the rakyat,” he said.
It was reported that Anwar had proposed for Hajiji to form a Sabah unity government that would involve all parties in the state including Sabah Barisan, Parti Warisan, Sabah Pakatan Harapan and Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat.
However, only the five Sabah Umno detractors and Sabah Pakatan were included in the new state Cabinet line-up.
On his new portfolio, Shahelmey said he considered it as a heavy responsibility as the Works Ministry had scores of crucial issues to address such as road maintenance and water supply problems.
Meanwhile, Sabah DAP secretary Phoong Jin Zhe, one of three new faces in the line-up, hoped that the appointment of the new state Cabinet will bring an end to the political crisis in the state.
On reports that Anwar proposed for the inclusion of all parties in the unity government, the new Sabah Industrial Development Minister contended that the Prime Minister had only given his confidence to Hajiji to make a decision.
Recalling the short visit by Anwar to the state capital on Monday night (Jan 9), he said the premier spent about 30 minutes speaking to Hajiji and the assemblymen supporting the Sabah CM over the political impasse.
“He (Anwar) told us no problem, he supported Hajiji to continue leading Sabah.
“So, this was the decision taken by the Chief Minister and we have to accept and respect it. And with the backing (given to Hajiji) particularly from the seven Sabah Pakatan reps, I think Sabah will have political stability.
“And (the government) now will be seen as more inclusive,” Phoong said.
Asked whether there could be further disruptions to the political situation in Sabah, he said Sabahans wanted to see the back of the whole episode.
“So, this was a decision taken although certain quarters might not be happy with it but I can consider this as a unity government,” said the Luyang assemblyman.
On his appointment as a full minister, Phoong, who was the youth and sports minister in the Warisan-led government from 2018 to 2020, said he only knew he was appointed the Industrial Development Minister during the swearing-in ceremony.
“I feel a heavy task on my shoulders because the current term will end in less than three years so I have to work double time to realise my mission and bring changes in the ministry for the sake of Sabahans,” he said.
