Strong support: Hajiji clasping hands with Tamparuli assemblyman Datuk Jahid Jahim at the state legislative assembly conference yesterday. Also present was Karanaan assemblyman Datuk Masidi Manjun (right). — Bernama
KOTA KINABALU: Speculation is rife that Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor will go ahead with a new state Cabinet that will include Pakatan Harapan and the five Sabah Barisan Nasional dissident assemblymen.
Several state leaders have confirmed the buzz on social media that a swearing-in ceremony will be held at Istana Kinabalu at 10am today.
Although the media has received no official notification of such a ceremony, “official” invitation letters to assemblymen have been circulating on social media.
When contacted, Sabah STAR president Datuk Jeffrey Kitingan confirmed that a swearing-in ceremony was scheduled for today.
Sugut assemblyman Datuk James Ratib also confirmed that he had received a formal invitation.
The move to go ahead with the swearing-in of the state Cabinet comes just a day after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim proposed the formation of a Sabah unity government.
Hajiji, whose Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) managed to secure a 44-seat majority in the 79-member state assembly with Sabah Pakatan and five Sabah Barisan-Umno defectors, has not responded to Anwar’s proposal to resolve the political impasse in the state.
Under his proposal, Anwar wants Sabah Barisan led by Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, Parti Warisan under Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal and Parti KDM led by Datuk Peter Anthony included in a Sabah unity government.
However, GRS sources said Hajiji has the final say as he remains Chief Minister.
Hajiji is expected to bring in Barisan’s Tanjung Keramat assemblyman Datuk Shahelmey Tahya as Deputy Chief Minister and Works Minister to replace Bung Moktar.
Another Barisan dissident is also expected to be sworn in as a minister while two Sabah Pakatan assemblymen – Datuk Christina Liew (Sabah PKR) and Datuk Frankie Poon (Sabah DAP) – are expected to be included in the state Cabinet.
Speculation is also rife that Poon is likely to be one of the three Deputy Chief Ministers along with Shahelmey and Jeffrey.
GRS secretary-general Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun is expected to be the state Finance Minister.
