Sabah opposition reps sworn in again
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s opposition assemblymen were sworn in for a second time to the Sabah legislative assembly after the earlier session on June 12 was not recognised.
Twenty of the 21 opposition assemblymen from Sabah Umno, Parti Bersatu Sabah and independents took their oaths before State Speaker Datuk Syed Abas Syed Ali at about 8.30am yesterday.
The ceremony was held ahead of the official opening of the 15th Sabah legislative assembly by Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin.
The Opposition had boycotted the swearing-in ceremony on June 11, which saw newly minted Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal receiving a two-thirds vote of confidence from 43 of the 64-member assembly.
However, 19 of the 21 opposition assemblymen, who managed to get themselves sworn in before the Speaker at his office the next day, had apparently done so without the knowledge of the Palace and the state government.
Shafie said their swearing-in without the House in session was against the standing order and considered the ceremony “illegal”.
He also ordered for disciplinary action to be taken against state assembly secretary Datuk Bernard Dalanting, whose deputy Shafaruddin Halide was carrying out the duties.
Shafie hoped that the Opposition would carry out its role for the well-being of the people.
“Their attendance today has made the assembly lively. I can’t force them to recognise me but I know I am the legal Chief Minister,” he said.
Sabah STAR president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said they came out of respect for the Speaker.
“We received a letter from the state assembly Speaker on June 27, instructing us to come,” he said, adding that they all attended “under protest without prejudice”.
Sabah Umno’s Datuk Masidi Manjun also said that the “second” swearing-in was carried out due to their respect for the Speaker as “the head of the House”.
But Sabah Umno’s Sungai Sibuga assemblyman and former chief minister Tan Sri Musa Aman was a no-show with police still looking for him.
Musa, who has been placed under Interpol’s red list, is wanted to assist in investigations into a criminal intimidation report lodged by Juhar.
The authorities believe he is in the United Kingdom after leaving Malaysia legally on May 17.
Should Musa fail to take his oath by the third session of the assembly, his seat will be deemed as vacant and a by-election will be held.