We need a strong team to develop state, fulfil pledges, says CM
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has defended his reshuffling of the state cabinet, saying it needed to be done to strengthen the current government.
“We need a strong team. It is important for the state government under my leadership to be able to function as a united team by sharing the same aspirations, which are built on trust and mutual respect,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Hajiji said to form an inclusive administration, he had chosen assemblymen from Pakatan Harapan in the cabinet, besides representatives from Umno/Barisan Nasional and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah.
He stressed that the state government was determined to have leaders who shared the same commitment to ensure development efforts in the state run smoothly and without any disruption, as expected by the people.
Political stability is essential to achieve this goal, he said.
“Together with a strong team, we will ensure a dynamic government and investment climate can be maintained, further increasing investor confidence in addition to being able to attract more people to come and invest in Sabah.
“We need to ensure that the momentum of our development continues to help us fulfil our election promises to the people and the state.”
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, in defending the new cabinet, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had been made aware of the new line-up and was happy with it.
“I called him last night (Tuesday night). (The state cabinet line-up) is the state decision,” he said in reply to queries whether the choice of new ministers had been based on Anwar’s advice or if it was a state decision.
Kitingan, who retained his state Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry portfolio, added that he was happy with the new line-up as it was “more complete”.
“I am happy, it is more complete and there is a female representative (Datuk Christina Liew), there is Pakatan (assemblymen),” he said after the swearing-in ceremony at Istana Seri Kinabalu.