KOTA KINABALU, Jan 11 — The Sabah Cabinet reshuffle today sees the addition of two Pakatan Harapan (PH) assemblymen and the promotion of several Umno assemblymen replacing state party leaders Datuk Bung Moktar Radin, his deputy Datuk Yakubah Khan and secretary Datuk Jafry Arifin.
Sabah PH chief Datuk Christina Liew was today sworn in as the new state tourism, culture and environment minister, replacing Jafry.
She first held the post when the Warisan Plus coalition won power in Election 2018 that ended with the snap state polls in 2020.
Sabah DAP secretary Ginger Phoong is the new industrial development minister, replacing Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Joachim Gunsalam who takes over the local government and housing ministry portfolio.
The previous local government and housing minister Datuk Masidi Manjun is now finance minister.
The finance portfolio was previously held by Chief Minister Datuk Hajiji Noor.
Umno dissident Datuk Shahelmy Yahya, who was previously Sabah community development and people’s wellbeing minister, is now deputy chief minister III and works minister. The post was previously held by Bung.
Shahelmy’s fellow party dissenter Datuk James Ratib has been promoted from assistant minister of agriculture and fisheries to being state minister of community development and people’s wellbeing.
Gabungan Rakyat Sabah’s Membakut assemblymen Datuk Mohd Ariffin Arif replaces Umno’s Yakubah as Sabah science, technology and innovation minister, relinquishing his post as special tasks minister in the Chief Minister’s Department.
In a statement issued after this morning’s swearing-in ceremony, Hajiji said the reshuffle was necessary to consolidate his administration.
The GRS chairman said he needed a strong team, and was mindful of the need to form an inclusive administration.
“It is important for the state government under my leadership to function as a cohesive team who share the same aspirations built on mutual trust and respect.
“The state government is determined to have like-minded leaders who appreciate the need to ensure efforts to develop the state runs smoothly and uninterrupted as expected by the people,” he said.
Hajiji said that political stability was crucial and he was sure this team could ensure the state’s investment dynamics were maintained.
“We must forge ahead to push our development momentum and to fulfill our election pledges for the people and state,” he said.
This state government is formed with Hajiji’s majority of 44 assemblymen including GRS (29), PH (seven), Umno (five), Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah, PAS and an independent with one each.
The new Cabinet excludes the majority of Umno state lawmakers, who recently withdrew support for Hajiji, and Parti Warisan.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had flown into Kota Kinabalu last Monday night after wrapping up an official visit to Indonesia amid the state leadership tussle, urging Sabah leaders to make peace and form a unity government for the local residents’ sake.
The unity government call was echoed by Anwar’s deputy Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who is also head of the national level Umno and Barisan Nasional.
