Musa absent from swearing-in of BN and STAR reps
KOTA KINABALU: Only 19 State Legislative Assemblymen and Assemblywomen who won under the Barisan Nasional (BN) and STAR tickets in the recent election were sworn in at the State Legislative Assembly yesterday.
Missing from the flock were Sg Sibuga assemblyman Tan Sri Musa Haji Aman and Apas assemblyman Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan.
According to Karanaan assemblyman Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun, who was previously Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, STAR president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan will be performing Musa’s duty while the latter is absent.
However, it is not known whether Jeffrey would become the opposition leader for Sabah.
“He is just doing the duty,” he said.
Masidi also said that they wanted to avoid being argumentative during the first three months and instead wanted to focus on the priority of the Ramadhan.
As for the swearing-in yesterday, Masidi said that it was a non-issue since the Speaker, Datuk Syed Abas Syed Ali had set aside the day for the swearing-in.
Concerning the court proceeding that is taking place, Masidi said that they would leave it to the court to decide since it had already been initiated.
He added that they would abide by the constitution.
Meanwhile, Sulaman assemblyman Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Haji Noor said the swearing-in served as a reminder of their duties towards their constituency.
Those sworn in yesterday were Jeffrey, Hajiji, Masidi, Datuk Ellron Angin, Datuk Musbah Jamli, Datuk Bobbey Suan, Datuk Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, Datuk Gulamhaidar @ Yusof Khan Bahadar, Datuk Jahid Jahim, Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam, Datuk Anita Baranting, Datuk Joniston Lumai @ Bangkuai, Julita Majungki, Abdul Rahman Kongkawang, Datuk Japlin Akim, Datuk Isnin Haji Aliasnih, Matbali Musah and Robert Tawik @ Nordin.
The swearing-in ceremony came in the wake of the State Legislative Assembly on Monday passed a vote of confidence on Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, endorsing him as Sabah’s new Chief Minister, and the swearingin of 43 assembly members from Warisan, PKR, DAP and Upko as well as nominated assemblymen.