KOTA KINABALU, Jan 26 — Sabah chief minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor announced another reshuffle of its assistant ministers that will include two Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders.

Inanam assemblyman from PKR Peto Galim and Likas Assemblyman from DAP Tan Lee Fatt was appointed assistant ministers to the Agriculture and Fisheries ministry and Finance ministry respectively while Parti Bersatu Sabah’s Lumadan assemblyman Datuk Haji Ruslan Muharam was appointed assistant minister to the Chief Minister.

The three new assistant ministers took their oath before Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin at Istana Seri Kinabalu here today.

Additionally, four current assistant ministers swapped portfolios while two Umno assistant ministers were dropped from the current line-up.

Gabungan Rakyat Sabah’s Pitas assemblyman Datuk Seri Ruddy Awah will be assistant Rural Development minister, swapping positions with Umno’s Bengkoka assemblyman Datuk Harun Durabi for the Science, Technology and Innovation assistant minister post.

GRS’s Pintasan assemblyman Datuk Fairuz Renddan, formerly Assistant Minister of Special Functions and Coordination will now be assistant minister for the Youth and Sports ministry, while his predecessor, Umno’s Tanjung Batu assemblyman Datuk Andi Suryady Bandy will now be assistant minister in the Industrial Development ministry.

The two Umno assemblymen who were dropped were Pantai Manis assemblyman Mohd Tamin Zainal who held the Industrial Development assistant minister, along with Sungai Sibuga assemblyman Mohamad Hamsan Awang Supain who was assistant minister in the local government and housing ministry.

The appointment of assistant ministers was to fill two positions left vacant by Datuk James Ratib, former Agriculture and Fisheries Assistant Minister who is now Minister of Community Development and People’s Wellbeing and Datuk Jasnih Daya who chose to relinquish his Assistant Finance Minister post to make way for the appointment of others.

"Today’s appointments and reshuffle of assistant ministers is a continuing effort to consolidate and strengthen the government administration,” said Hajiji.

"To build a strong team, I have stressed the importance for the State Government under my leadership to function as a cohesive team who share the same aspirations built on mutual trust and respect.

"We need a strong team to push our development momentum and to fulfill our election pledges for the people and state,” he said.